Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan

by Hamid Khan

It has been seven decades since the independent state of Pakistan was carved out of British India, yet the country is still in pursuit of a suitable constitutional framework. Over this period of time, no other country has experimented with so many different constitutional forms, from parliamentary democracy to presidential form of government, to outright military regimes.

This book analyses constitutional development in Pakistan from its inception to present times. It provides a case-by-case account of constitution-making in Pakistan, with the inclusion of all pertinent documentation. Constitutional developments have been explained in the context of social and political events that shaped them. The book focuses on constitutional and political history, and constitutional development concurrently. It includes a liberal humanitarian reading of the travails of lawmakers and the role of generals, judges, politicians, and bureaucrats in the implementation of law.

Students of law, political science, and history, as well as lawyers, judges, and professors will find this book of particular value. Being grounded in a socio-political context, this book is also of interest to the general reader.

The third edition is updated to cover the constitutional and political developments up until 2013.

Genres: Pakistan, History, Law, Politics, Nonfiction, India

902 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2004

About the author

Hamid Khan (Urdu: حامد خان‎ b. 16 April 1945) is a Pakistani writer, politician, supreme court lawyer who is currently serving as the Senior Vice-President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Hamid Khan wrote several books that are recommended reading for Pakistani students of law. Hamid Khan studied law at the University of Punjab and University of Illinois and has been practising for over thirty years.

He has authored five books on legal subjects, three of which-Islamic Law of Inheritance, Principles of Administrative Law and Administrative Tribunals for civil Servants in Pakistan-are prescribed as Textbooks at law schools. He is an Ebert and DAAD Fellow, as well as a member of The Hague Academy of International Law. His book "Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan" is taught at the LLB level, and is a comprehensive reference on the making of Pakistan. His work is also taught at the LLM level.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Wasio Abbasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamid Khan has produced a marvel in the form of this book "Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan". An incredibly in-depth look at how law has been followed throughout Pakistan's history, how each successive leadership has contributed to the degeneration of the law and how mistakes of some of the esteemed judges of the past have eventually led Pakistan to the dismal state it is currently in.
And not just that but providing political background and events that accompanied the development of legal procedures gave a holistic view of history. The most enlightening sections, for me, were the initial years of Pakistan where decisions by Justice Muneer led Pakistan downhill with doctrines such as "Doctrine of Necessity" and continuous refusal to follow lead of Justice Cornelius who provided much sound reasoning for every crisis. Apart from that, the excerpts of proceedings for Objective Resolution in the assembly are also an eye opener where both criticism as well as support for the objective resolution was presented and it has been clearly established that Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan, idea of which he presented during his first address to the assembly in 1947.
The only sad part about the book is the strictly official pre-Pakistan narrative which seemed copy pasted from government endorsed history books that are already considered not just misleading but also false on many accounts. If Hamid Khan had provided a more thorough and truer picture of political history of pre-Pakistan, there would have been no better book to consult for all constitutional and political matters of the nation.

[Alina Khadim · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book by Hamid khan is a remarkable work for Pakistan's political and constitutional history. this book contained all the constitution of Pakistan 1956,1962,1973. the making, implementation process their abrogation. the political crisis In history in Pakistan. the legitimacy crisis in constitutional history. hurdles and obstacles in Constitution and Pakistan's instability after Independence. this book contained numerical facts of political history. this book included constitutional history since 1947 to the till date.

[Naeemrehmat · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is good

[Saad Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for understanding things related to law in the history of Pakistan. They update it almost every year so make sure you buy the latest one because it will have information about the latest incidents. For a guy like me who does not possess a stamina of reading big books this might not a good choice. But if you want to read it then read it like you read a scientific book i.e. selective. Open what you want to read and just read that. Hamid Khan(author) is a prominent lawyer in Pakistan with affiliation with current ruling party i.e. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. This is also a book that is taught as a course book for lawyers.Overall a good book to keep in your shelf.

[Kamran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally comprehensive and clear book written by Hamid Khan on Pakistan's constitutional and political history! The author also briefly covers legal/political affairs of the British India to identify their impact on the future political course of Pakistan.

[Ali Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books for the history of Pakistan particularly for the history of constitutional developments in the country.

[Smam Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the chequered history of a country such as Pakistan is by no means an easy feat. Hamid Khan, however, does a commendable job: one that spans the monotonous workings of the British in Pakistan all the way to the last time the PPP were handed the federal reigns.

Looking at the patterns formed in the course of our history is an ironic yet amusing endeavour: the smothering of the court's writ powers in troubled times; the suspension of fundamental rights throughout; jerking from a parliamentary system (more or less) to a presidency; the misuse of the judiciary to legitimise a sordid state of affairs. It really is all a mess. An Orwellian man may find this dystopian land fanciful reading- to some extent I am guilty- however, a more grounded reading brings out scriptures of history written with blood, and doused in callous self-service. The long-run matters not a dime.

Bar some linguistic errors (which one wouldn't expect from a revised edition), a few claims not leveraged by sources, and a perceived drop in quality towards the end, the book remains an authoritative source on what it claims to be: the Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan.

[Muhammad Murad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read half of it and then a few selected topics from the other half. It is a very detailed analysis of the constitutional and political history of Pakistan. A worthy read for those who are passionate to learn about Pakistan's politics thoroughly. It may not be of interest to those who want to understand the current domestic political dynamics. However, it may help to comprehend the chain of events which are repetitive in Pakistan.
Caution: A broad-mind is required to read this book.
Peace.

[Muhammad Khaliq · Rating 5 out of 5]

cjh

[Umme Mariyam]

awsome

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can argue about Hamid Khan's political views but this act of scholarship by him is an invaluable addition to Pakistan's history. He does glance over a few things in some areas but overall, it is a solid book covering almost all major legal and constitutional events in Pakistan's history.

[Sidra Naseer · Rating 5 out of 5]

constitutional and political history of pakistan is a informative book.Students also gain knowlwdge to read this book

[Muhammad Sameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

very awesome book

[Tayyab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read this book nd this book was opened but don't show full I request to you give me a solution

[Faiq Hayat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great and informative book.

[Tahir Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to read this book. My teacher asked me to read this book.

[Sajju Sk · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is amazing hammid khan did a great job !

[Sabir Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book

[Fahad Saeed]

this book can help a lot to understand the history of Pakistan.

[ADITYA YOUTUBERE]

best book

[Ghaziyan]

How to read this book on net ?? Plz any body tell me plzz

[SHAHIDULLAH · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book of history

[Athar Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, simple language and to the point.
I got so much from this single book .

[Umair]

for finding political instability of Pakistan

[Salahuddin Khan]

?

[ADINA ANWAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wanna read this right now

[Muhammad Kamran · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good

[Javeria Talpur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, in between a bit fuss is added. However, not a disappointment indeed!

[Sehar Faiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very good to understand law related.

[Mumtaz Ejaz]

good read