Critical Analysis of the Weakness and Strength of

Objective Resolution 1949.

Objective Resolution:-
The Objectives Resolution was a resolution adopted on 12 March 1949 by the Constituent
Assembly of Pakistan. The resolution, proposed by the Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan,
proclaimed that the future constitution of Pakistan would not be modeled entirely on a European
pattern, but on the ideology and democratic faith of Islam.

The principles of Objectives Resolution passed by the Constituent Assembly were:

 In the name of Allah ,The Beneficent , the Merciful:

Whereas sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah Almighty alone and the
authority which He has delegated to state of Pakistan through its people of being
exercised within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust;
 This Constituent Assembly Representing the people of Pakistan resolves to frame a
constitution for the sovereign independent State of Pakistan;
 Wherein the state shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen
representatives of the people;
 Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice
enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed;
 Wherein the Muslims shall enable to order their lives in the individual and collective
spheres in accordance with the teaching and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy
Quran and the Sunnah;
 Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and
practice their religion and develop their cultures; Wherein the territories now included in
or in accession with Pakistan and such other territories as may hereafter be included in or
accede to Pakistan shall form a federation where in the units will be autonomous with
such boundaries and limitations on their powers and authority as may be prescribed;
 Wherein shall be guaranteed fundamental Rights including equality of status, of
opportunity and before law, social, economic and political justice, and freedom of
thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, and association, subject to law and public
morality;
 Wherein adequate provision shall be made to safeguard to legitimate interests of
minorities and backwards and depressed classes;
 Wherein the independence of judiciary shall be fully secured;
 Wherein the integrity of the territories of the federation, its independence and all its rights
including its sovereign rights on land, sea, and air shall be safeguarded;

The Objectives Resolution, which combines features of both Western and Islamic democracy, is
one of the most important documents in the constitutional history of Pakistan. At the time it was
passed, Liaquat Ali Khan called it "the most important occasion in the life of this country, next in
importance only to the achievement of independence”.
Strengths of Objective Resolution:
1) Role of the Constituent Assembly in Framing of Constitution:-

In Objective Resolution, it is stated that “The Constituent Assembly representing the people of
Pakistan resolves to frame a constitution for the sovereign independent state of Pakistan.” which
means that, the members of Constituent Assembly which are the representatives of the people of
Pakistan will have the power and are responsible to frame a constitution by keeping the
proposals of the people and for the benefits of the people of Pakistan. The role of Constituent
Assembly was according the thinking of Quaid-e-Azam in Objective Resolution. According his
speech which he delivered on 11th august 1947 he told that “I sincerely hope that with your
support and your co-operation, we shall make this Constituent Assembly an example to the
world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main functions to perform. The first is the very
onerous and responsible task of framing our future constitution of Pakistan and second of
functioning as a full and complete Sovereign Body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan.”This
shows that the Quaid-e-Azam was also in the favour of role of Constituent Assembly in framing
of constitution of Pakistan.

2) Exercise of Powers Through Chosen Representatives:-

In Objective Resolution, it is stated that “Wherein the state shall exercise its powers and
authority through the chosen representatives of the people.”According to this principle, the
people of Pakistan will choose their representative in the government through Democratic way,
like elections . It is not that anyone can grab power and claim that the power to his or her.
Due to Objective Resolution, the people of Pakistan have complete right to choose their
representative on whom they have their sacred trust ,the person who they want to see in the
government and they believe that their representative will protect their fundamental rights. On
June 14, 1948,Quaid-e-Azam said when he was addressing to the military staff college “Never
forget that you are the servants of the state. You do not make policy. It is we, the people’s
representatives, who decide how the country is to be run. Your job is to only obey the decisions
of your civilian masters.”
3) Fundamental Rights Will Be Provided:-
According to the Objective Resolution, the fundamental right should be guaranteed to everyone
i.e. believers of every religion living in the state of Pakistan. It means that everyone has the right
to live peacefully, have equal status, opportunities, social and political justice and freedom to
think .Everyone has also the freedom to worship and to live their lives according to the religion
and culture. As, Quaid-e-Azam said in his speech which he delivered on 11th August 1947 ”You
are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other
places of worship in the state of Pakistan.”
 4) Independence of Judiciary:-
It is stated in the Objective Resolution that “Wherein the independence of judiciary shall be fully
secured.” This means that the judiciary will not be controlled by any person, political party and
any other power. The judiciary couldn’t be influenced by anyone. The judiciary has all rights to
take action against the anyone who is following the law. According to the Objective Resolution,
the judiciary is independent because it is their duty to provide cheap and quick justice to the
people. In any country, if justice is not given to their people the country will be ruined.

Weak points of Objective Resolution:-

Following are the weak points which are stated in objective resolution:-
 Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice
enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed;
 Wherein the Muslims shall enable to order their lives in the individual and collective
spheres in accordance with the teaching and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy
Quran and the Sunnah;
 Wherein adequate provision shall be made to safeguard to legitimate interests of
minorities and backwards and depressed classes;
 Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and
practice their religion and develop their cultures;

In all the points stated above, the only thing which is prominent that muslims and people who believe in
other religions are shown completely different from each other. This is a complete contradiction of
Quaid-e-Azam vision. According to the Quaid-e-Azam vision, there are no minorities on the basis of
religion. On 11th August 1947, Quaid-e-Azam said “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed- that
has nothing to do with the business of state”. He also said that “We are starting with this Fundamental
principle that we are all citizen and equal citizens of one State”. Due to the clear distinction between
religious majorities and minorities, the rights of non-muslims have been sealed. Due to the principles
stated in objective resolution, the provisions relating to muslims being enabled to lead their life
according to Islam has opposed the concept of secular state. If we observe today’s situation, we are
watching that minorities have become depressed due this resolution. According to this resolution, the
Islamic laws are forcely imposed on the non-muslims. If during Quaid-e-Azam life, this resolution have
been introduced, Quaid-e-Azam would never have given assent to it, because Quaid-e-Azam always
wanted to be a secular state not a religious state.
Conclusion:-
In short Objectives resolution was passed but was not passed by the Non-Muslim members of
assembly and that is a big question mark on Liaquat Ali Khan, his cabinet and other Muslim
members of assembly. They failed to satisfy the objections of Non-Muslims and due to this many
controversies started. Pakistan became an Islamic state as theocrats had their wishes fulfilled and
the idea of Jinnah's vision of a peaceful liberal democratic Pakistan was buried in history.
Objectives resolution was passed but not with majority and that’s why it has been criticized from
day one to until now.