Describe the terms of the 1956 Constitution.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] it gave the title Islamic Republic of Pakistan
2. [1] all citizens shall be equal
3. [1] the independence of the judiciary was to be guaranteed
4. [1] the President to be a Muslim (1) and over 40 (1)
5. [1] the President was to be elected by the central and provincial legislatures
6. [1] the President had the right to dissolve the assembly on the Prime Minister's advice
7. [1] the President cannot serve more than two terms
8. [1] the President to appoint the Prime Minister and the Cabinet
9. [1] only members of the National Assembly can be Ministers
10. [1] the National Assembly to have equal number of seats from East and West Pakistan
11. [1] if bill passed by the Assembly, President to give consent within 90 days (1) if refused, two thirds majority needed to force the President to sign (1)
12. [1] the President to have power to pass laws when the Assembly was not in session
13. [1] the provinces to have their own assemblies
14. [1] governor to be appointed by the President
15. [1] provincial autonomy to be recognised in most areas
16. [1] it can only be amended by a two-thirds majority in the Assembly
17. [1] Pakistan to remain a member of the Commonwealth
18. [1] Urdu (1) and Bengali (1) to be the official languages of Pakistan
19. Target: AO1, AO2
20. Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.
21. Indicative content: politicians wanted to improve literacy rates in Pakistan
22. Indicative content: a lot of money was spent on reforms other than education
23. Indicative content: people argued similar amounts should be spent on schools
24. Indicative content: politicians wanted to raise aspirations through education
25. Target: AO1, AO2
26. Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.
27. Indicative content (may agree that Pakistan has been an effective member of world organisations since 1947): joined the United Nations (UN) in 1947 becoming a large contributor of troops to the UN peacekeeping forces
28. Indicative content (may agree that Pakistan has been an effective member of world organisations since 1947): joined SEATO in 1954 showing solidarity with a USA sponsored defence agreement for Southeast Asia against the USSR
29. Indicative content (may agree that Pakistan has been an effective member of world organisations since 1947): joined CENTO in 1955 becoming a key member looking towards allying with western democracies against the USSR in the Middle East
30. Indicative content (may agree that Pakistan has been an effective member of world organisations since 1947): joined the OIC in 1969 to show solidarity and cooperation with other member states from Muslim countries
31. Indicative content (may agree that Pakistan has been an effective member of world organisations since 1947): rejoined the Commonwealth community in 1989
32. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): left the Commonwealth in 1971 over British recognition of Bangladesh
33. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): left SEATO in 1972 due to lack of assistance/support
34. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): left CENTO in 1979 because Pakistan felt that CENTO was no longer meeting its security requirements