Constitution of Pakistan 1973: Key Articles Every Candidate Should Know
The 1973 Constitution articles that come up most in tests, explained simply: Islamic provisions, fundamental rights, the President, Parliament and the NFC.
By the World MCQ Forum Editorial Team · 27 October 2026 · 3 min read
You do not need to read all 280 original articles of the Constitution to do well in a recruitment test. A relatively small number of articles, and a few key dates, account for most constitutional questions. This guide covers them in plain language.
Key dates first
- Objectives Resolution: passed 12 March 1949; made a substantive part of the Constitution as Article 2A (inserted in 1985).
- Constitution passed by the National Assembly: 10 April 1973.
- Constitution came into force: 14 August 1973.
- 18th Amendment: passed in 2010; restored parliamentary democracy and expanded provincial autonomy.
- 27th Amendment: passed in November 2025; created the Federal Constitutional Court and the post of Chief of Defence Forces.
The articles that matter most
| Article | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan is a Federal Republic called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| 2 | Islam is the State religion |
| 2A | The Objectives Resolution is a substantive part of the Constitution |
| 6 | High treason: abrogating or subverting the Constitution by force |
| 19 | Freedom of speech and of the press, subject to reasonable restrictions |
| 19A | Right to information (added by the 18th Amendment) |
| 25 | Equality of citizens before the law |
| 25A | Free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 16 (added by the 18th Amendment) |
| 41 | The President; must be a Muslim of at least 45 years of age |
| 62 & 63 | Qualifications and disqualifications for members of Parliament |
| 160 | National Finance Commission (sharing of revenue) |
| 251 | Urdu is the national language |
Understanding, not just memorizing
Examiners often ask the same article from different angles, so understanding what each one does is better than memorizing the number alone.
Article 6 (high treason). It declares that anyone who abrogates, subverts or suspends the Constitution by force or other unconstitutional means is guilty of high treason. Questions may describe the act and ask which article applies.
Articles 25 and 25A. Article 25 is about equality before the law. Article 25A, added in 2010, puts a duty on the State to provide free, compulsory education from age 5 to 16. Remember the age range; it is frequently asked.
Article 41 (the President). The age requirement (45 years) and the requirement to be a Muslim are both common MCQs. The President is elected by an electoral college made up of both houses of Parliament and the provincial assemblies.
Article 160 (NFC). The National Finance Commission recommends how tax revenue is divided between the federal government and the provinces. The 7th NFC Award (agreed in 2009) is a common follow-up question.
Article 251 (national language). Urdu is the national language, and English may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made to replace it.
Parliament in one minute
- Pakistan’s Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) has two houses: the National Assembly and the Senate.
- Senators serve six-year terms, and half of the Senate retires every three years.
- The National Assembly’s normal term is five years.
Recent changes to keep in mind
The 27th Amendment (November 2025) moved original constitutional jurisdiction from the Supreme Court to a new Federal Constitutional Court, whose first Chief Justice, Justice Aminuddin Khan, took oath on 14 November 2025. Because this area has changed recently, check the latest position before your exam, especially for questions about which court hears constitutional petitions.
Practise
Test yourself with our Constitution of Pakistan MCQs, and keep up with recent constitutional changes through the Current Affairs set.