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Basic Principles Committee

The Basic Principles Committee was formed to develop a constitution for Pakistan that incorporated both Islamic and democratic values. Its first report in 1950 proposed including the Objectives Resolution as a directive principle, a bicameral parliament with equal representation for provinces in the upper house and population-based representation in the lower house, and a powerful presidential system. However, this report was criticized for not sufficiently addressing Islamic principles or balancing representation between East and West Pakistan. The second report in 1952 proposed more Islamic provisions and equal representation between the two wings of Pakistan in both houses, but it still faced criticism from various political factions.

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Shamshad Ali Rahoojo
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1K views2 pages

Basic Principles Committee

The Basic Principles Committee was formed to develop a constitution for Pakistan that incorporated both Islamic and democratic values. Its first report in 1950 proposed including the Objectives Resolution as a directive principle, a bicameral parliament with equal representation for provinces in the upper house and population-based representation in the lower house, and a powerful presidential system. However, this report was criticized for not sufficiently addressing Islamic principles or balancing representation between East and West Pakistan. The second report in 1952 proposed more Islamic provisions and equal representation between the two wings of Pakistan in both houses, but it still faced criticism from various political factions.

Uploaded by

Shamshad Ali Rahoojo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Basic Principles Committee

Introduction:
The process began with the passing of the Objectives Resolution in which the Islamic and
democratic values were adopted as grounds for the future constitution. The Basic Principles
Committee (BPC) consisting of 24 members was made to work for the constitutional powers.
The various sub-committees on Federal and provincial powers, Franchise, Judiciary, and
Fundamental Rights started working. Board of Talimat-i-Islamia was also set up to seek advice
on the religious matters.

First BPC Report, 1950:


1. The Objectives Resolution to be included in the Constitution as the directive principles.
2. Legislature: Two houses of the parliament.
Upper: (House of Units) Equal representation for the units
Lower: (House of People) On the basis of Population. Both the Houses would enjoy the
equal powunit
3. The Head of State elected by joint session would be for five years (Two terms only).
President had discretionary and emergency, appointment and other powers. President
was not answerable to anyone, might be a Muslim or non-Muslim, would be assisted by
the Prime Minister (PM) and Cabinet that would be answerable to the CA. Parliament
may impeach him by 2/3 majority. He wasgiven the power to abrogate the constitution.
4. Cabinet responsible to both the Houses. 5: No mention of national language

Criticism:
This report was severely criticized throughout the country. It could not satisfy both the wings,
East and West. The religious group objected that the report contained nothing about
Islamisation. On the question of representation, the East Pakistan (EP) protested that their
majority had been denied by the Report. They remarked that they were thrown into a
permanent minority. The population of EP was slightly larger than that of the West Pakistan
(WP) but it was treated as the small provinces because both the Houses were given equal
powers. So the domination of WP was intolerable for the East wing.
The language issue proved subversive to the national solidarity. The Eastern Pakistanis
condemned the proposal that made Urdu as official language.
Second BPC Report, 1952:
1. Head of State would be Muslim and no change in powers.
2. Equal representation to East and West wings: UH (Upper House) 60, 60 LH 200, 200
3. More powers were given to Lower House. Cabinet was made responsible to Lower
House.
4. It was promised that law making would be in accordance with ISLAM. No law would be
made in violation of Islamic principles.
5. Advisory Board of five Islamic scholars was founded.

Criticism:
The politicians particularly from the Punjab deplored the Report because formation of the UH
on the basis of representation was not acceptable. It was declared against the principle of
federation TheWP favoured equality only for Upper House. The political crisis removed Prime
Minister Nazimuddin and attention diverted from the core issue.

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