Islam as Pakistan's State Religion
Introduction
Historical Background
Constitutional Provisions
Features of Islam as the State Religion
Summary
Introduction
Pakistan was established in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, and since its
inception, Islam has been a unifying force in forming its national identity. The founders of the country
underscored that Islam would steer the political, legal, and cultural institution of the state. This pledge
was initially enshrined in the Objectives Resolution of 1949, later incorporated into the Constitution.
Article 2 of the Constitution declared Islam as the state religion officially in 1973. The pronouncement
signifies that all policies and legislation should be compliant with Islamic doctrine. Although Pakistan is
an Islamic republic, it is also committed to safeguarding the rights of minorities and guaranteeing them
religious freedom. The Constitution therefore tries to blend Islamic values with democracy and pluralism.
Historical Background
The idea of Islam as the guiding force behind Pakistan's administration happened since the Pakistan
Movement. Visionaries such as Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah had conceived a nation where
Muslims would be able to practice religion freely and live islamically. Upon gaining independence in
1947, Pakistan embraced the Objectives Resolution (1949), which stated that the sovereignty rests with
Allah and pledged the state to facilitating Muslims to lead their lives in conformity with Islam. It formed
the basis of subsequent constitutions.
Islam was first complete the state religion in the 1956 Constitution. The 1962 Constitution preserved
Islamic provisions but assigned less prominence to religion than its predecessor. But in the 1973
Constitution, Islam was proclaimed officially and permanently the state religion by Article 2, and the
Objectives Resolution was incorporated as a substantive component of the Constitution by Article 2A.
These developments laid the legal and intellectual foundations for Pakistan as an Islamic Republic.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 2 of the Constitution (1973):
States "Islam shall be the state religion of Pakistan," providing it with a legal and symbolic basis.
Objectives Resolution (1949):
Asserts that Allah alone is sovereign and reiterates that Muslims will be facilitated to live their
lives according to Islamic principles, and minorities will enjoy religious freedom and equal rights.
Introduction
Historical Background
Constitutional Provisions
Features of Islam as the State Religion
Summary
Introduction
Pakistan was established in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, and since its
inception, Islam has been a unifying force in forming its national identity. The founders of the country
underscored that Islam would steer the political, legal, and cultural institution of the state. This pledge
was initially enshrined in the Objectives Resolution of 1949, later incorporated into the Constitution.
Article 2 of the Constitution declared Islam as the state religion officially in 1973. The pronouncement
signifies that all policies and legislation should be compliant with Islamic doctrine. Although Pakistan is
an Islamic republic, it is also committed to safeguarding the rights of minorities and guaranteeing them
religious freedom. The Constitution therefore tries to blend Islamic values with democracy and pluralism.
Historical Background
The idea of Islam as the guiding force behind Pakistan's administration happened since the Pakistan
Movement. Visionaries such as Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah had conceived a nation where
Muslims would be able to practice religion freely and live islamically. Upon gaining independence in
1947, Pakistan embraced the Objectives Resolution (1949), which stated that the sovereignty rests with
Allah and pledged the state to facilitating Muslims to lead their lives in conformity with Islam. It formed
the basis of subsequent constitutions.
Islam was first complete the state religion in the 1956 Constitution. The 1962 Constitution preserved
Islamic provisions but assigned less prominence to religion than its predecessor. But in the 1973
Constitution, Islam was proclaimed officially and permanently the state religion by Article 2, and the
Objectives Resolution was incorporated as a substantive component of the Constitution by Article 2A.
These developments laid the legal and intellectual foundations for Pakistan as an Islamic Republic.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 2 of the Constitution (1973):
States "Islam shall be the state religion of Pakistan," providing it with a legal and symbolic basis.
Objectives Resolution (1949):
Asserts that Allah alone is sovereign and reiterates that Muslims will be facilitated to live their
lives according to Islamic principles, and minorities will enjoy religious freedom and equal rights.
