Constitution of Pakistan 1973 Notes: Complete Study Guide
Exam-ready notes on the 1973 Constitution — structure, fundamental rights, key articles, amendments — plus a free downloadable PDF of the complete notes.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Parts
Articles (Originally)
Amendments by 2025
Fundamental Rights
Year of Adoption
PDF Notes Pages
Structure
The 12 Parts at a Glance
The one table to memorise first — every exam question on the Constitution’s layout starts here.
| Part | Articles | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1–6 | Introductory: the Republic, territories, Islam as state religion, Objectives Resolution, high treason |
| II | 7–40 | Fundamental Rights and Principles of Policy |
| III | 41–49 | The Federation: the President |
| IV | 50–89 | Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) |
| V | 90–100 | Relations between Federation and Provinces |
| VI | 101–140 | Finance, property, contracts and suits |
| VII | 141–212 | The Judicature: courts, judges, tribunals |
| VIII | 213–226 | Elections and the Election Commission |
| IX | 227–231 | Islamic Provisions: Council of Islamic Ideology |
| X | 232–237 | Emergency Provisions |
| XI | 238–253 | Amendment of the Constitution |
| XII | 254–280 | Miscellaneous: services, language, transitional |
Adopted 10 April 1973, enforced 14 August 1973 — Pakistan’s third constitution, drafted under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government. Written, federal, parliamentary. For the full story, see our Constitution of Pakistan 1973 main guide.
Rights
Fundamental Rights Summary (Arts. 8–28)
Part II, Chapter 1. Article 8 voids any law inconsistent with these rights.
Security of Person
No one shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law — the anchor right.
Arrest Safeguards
Grounds of arrest, right to counsel, production before a magistrate within 24 hours.
Fair Trial
Right to fair trial and due process — added by the 18th Amendment (2010).
Dignity of Man
The inviolability of human dignity.
Speech & Press
Freedom of speech, expression and the press.
Right to Information
Information in matters of public importance — 18th Amendment.
Equality
All citizens equal before law, entitled to equal protection.
Free Education
Free, compulsory education for ages 5–16 — 18th Amendment.
Religion
Freedom to profess religion and manage religious institutions.
Reference
Key Articles Quick Reference
The highest-yield articles for exams and interviews.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 2 / 2A | Islam the state religion; Objectives Resolution a substantive part (8th Amendment) |
| 51 / 59 | Composition of the National Assembly / Senate |
| 63A | Disqualification on grounds of defection (floor-crossing) |
| 89 | President’s ordinance power |
| 90–95 | Executive authority; Prime Minister and cabinet |
| 160 | National Finance Commission |
| 175A | Judicial appointments: Judicial Commission of Pakistan |
| 184 | Supreme Court original jurisdiction (suo motu curbed by 26th Amendment) |
| 199 | High Court writ jurisdiction (certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, habeas corpus, quo warranto) |
| 203 | Federal Shariat Court |
| 204 | Contempt of court |
| 209 | Supreme Judicial Council |
| 212 | Administrative courts and tribunals |
| 213–226 | Election Commission of Pakistan |
| 224 | Caretaker setup; elections within 90 days |
| 227–231 | Islamic provisions; Council of Islamic Ideology |
| 232–237 | Emergency provisions |
| 238–239 | Amendment: two-thirds majority of each House |
Deep Dives
Judiciary Articles: 175A, 199 & 212
Three judiciary articles students search for most — covered in dedicated guides.
Judicial Appointments
How superior-court judges are appointed: the 13-member Judicial Commission of Pakistan, the Special Parliamentary Committee’s role in choosing the Chief Justice, and what the 26th Amendment changed.
High Court Writs
The five writs — certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, habeas corpus, quo warranto — and when High Courts can issue them. Covered in our dedicated pillar.
Administrative Tribunals
Exclusive jurisdiction over service matters, government tort claims and enemy property; why other courts are barred; appeals only with Supreme Court leave.
Amendments
Major Amendments Timeline
27 amendments by late 2025. The ones that matter most:
| Amendment | Headline change |
|---|---|
| 8th (1985) | Art. 58(2)(b): President could dissolve the Assembly; Objectives Resolution made substantive |
| 13th (1997) | Repealed 58(2)(b) |
| 18th (2010) | The largest: provincial autonomy; Arts. 10A, 19A, 25A; Judicial Commission (175A) |
| 21st (2015) | Military courts for terrorism (two-year sunset) |
| 25th (2018) | FATA merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| 26th (2024) | JCP reconstituted (13 members); CJP via parliamentary committee, 3-year term; suo motu curbed; Constitutional Benches |
| 27th (2025) | Federal Constitutional Court created (November 2025) |
Free Download
Download the Complete PDF Notes
The full study notes — structure, rights, key articles, amendments, exam Q&A — in one printable PDF, free.
Constitution of Pakistan 1973 — Study Notes
5 pages · covers all 12 Parts, fundamental rights, judiciary articles, the amendments timeline and exam-style Q&A.
FAQ
Constitution Notes FAQs
Short answers to the most searched questions.
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Go Deeper: The Full Constitution Guide
Article-by-article coverage of the entire 1973 Constitution — the main pillar these notes summarise.
These notes summarise the Constitution for study purposes. For legal reliance, consult the official constitutional text. Amendment position as of October 2026.