A Study of Power Struggle on Constitutional Amendments in the National Assembly of Pakistan between Bhutto Government and Opposition Parties
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Abstract
The opposition parties all over the world have a significant character in the process of not just constitution-making but also during the amendment process. Likewise, opposition parties manifested a significant role not just in the introduction of the 1973 constitution but also in the amendments introduced during his government. This study while going through the constitution-making process, attempts to explore the demands of the opposition parties to be introduced in the constitution and once it was promulgated their pressure to amend as per their demands. Bhutto in the desire to have a unanimous constitution promised the opposition parties that it would add their ideas to the Constitution. In the coming years, the most prominent amendments that were incorporated were related to the declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslim. The opposition demanded to introduction of a wide range of Islamic ideas. The primary sources for this study include the National Assembly of Pakistan Debates during the years 1973-77. Secondary information can be found in a variety of sources, including books, newspapers, journals, and official records. The role of opposition in each of the six amendments that were made to the constitution of Pakistan between 1973 and 1977 will be discussed in this study. This study concludes that opposition during the Bhutto government aspired more pivotal role in amendments to the constitution but the government was not ready to incorporate their all demands, it was this tussle that paved the way for the martial law of General Zia ul Haq and the removal of Bhutto government.
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