ISLAMABAD: The draft interim Constitution presented to the National Assembly provides for a parliamentary form of Government in the Federation of Pakistan which has been named as Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Preamble of the 290-Article document, spread over 112 pages, is the well-known Objectives Resolution of 1949. It provides for an Advisory Council on Islamic Ideology consisting of members, not less than five not more than 12, to be appointed by the President.

There are three lists: Federal, Provincial and Concurrent. It also lists the laws exempted from the operation of the interim Constitution and the Martial Law Regulations which will be continued as laws.

It provides for the election of the President of Pakistan through secret ballot by the combined strength of the Central and the four Provincial Assemblies for a period of five years from the date he enters office. … It ensures civil liberties and the protection given to the citizens against arbitrary arrest exceeds that in all the previous Constitutions. ... The power to detain without trial has been curtailed. … [N]o person shall be detained without trial for more than one month unless his case his presented before a Tribunal consisting of a Judge and a senior officer.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2022