RAWALPINDI: The Central Law and Parlia­m­en­tary Affairs Minister, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, this morning [Dec 31] presented before the National Assembly the report of the Constitution Commit­tee and the draft Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan — envisaging a federal parliamentary system with a bicameral legislature. The Republic’s President will always be a Muslim. The draft provides that the present National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies … will continue till the 14th day of August, 1977, unless they are sooner dissolved. Subsequent Assemblies will have five-year terms.

The draft also provides that the national language of Pakistan will be Urdu, and arrangements shall be made for its being used for official and other purposes within 15 years from the commencing day. English may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by Urdu.

A new article declaring that Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan has been included in the draft. Another new provision regarding high treason has been introduced to guard against any possibility in the future of the Constitution being abrogated by any person. — Special Representative

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2023