CSS 2012 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Objective Resolution for both Orthodox and Modernists
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs 2012 is solved by Miss Iqra Ali, the best Pakistan Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to discuss critically the objective resolution and how it satisfied religious orthodox and Islamist modernists. So, you have to incorporate the cause and impact of the resolution while giving the answer. Besides, divide the answer into two portions and make sub-headings to meet the requirement.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Historical Contextualization, How Objective Resolution became Part of the Constitution of 1973
3-The Constitutional Backbone of Pakistan, the Objective Resolution
4-Faith, Sovereignty, and Democracy, the Objective Resolution Satisfied both Orthodox and Modernists
- ✓ Satisfying the Demands of Islamic Orthodox by Incorporating Islamic Principles
- ✓Appealing Modernists by Including Democratic Features of Governance
5-A Balanced Approach or Double Edge Sword, A Critical Analysis of its long term impacts on the Political System of Pakistan
- ✓ Implications on the Governance- Ambiguity in the Provided Model of Governance
- ✓ Implications on the Political System- the Rise of Religious Influence and Minority Rights
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
An unambiguous ideology establishes clear direction for the people and state machinery on the basis of which future goals at the political, social, and economic levels can be devised. A state, which is established on the basis of a distinct ideology, requires its incorporation in the true sense. In the absence of a clear ideology, it may experience an identity crisis that impacts its society in an unprecedented way. Likewise, in the case of Pakistan, where critics argue that there is an ideological crisis in the country, which is the reason for conflict between Islamists and Modernists and often sparks militant action and rivalries because of the lack of a concrete governance model. Coming to the point of the Objective Resolution (1949) embodies the leading principles on which the Constitution of Pakistan is based. It was incorporated as a preamble to the Constitution of 1973 through the 8th Amendment in 1985 by then-President Zia ul Haq, making it a substantive part of the Constitution of 1973 by inserting Article 2 A. However, it appeals to religious orthodox and modernists by satisfying their demands of incorporating Islamic principles and including democratic features in governance. Besides, it can be said that the resolution is no less a double-edged sword by analyzing its impact on the country’s political system because its dual commitments introduced ambiguity in the provided governance model. To conclude, while satisfying Islamic Orthodox and Modernists, the resolution also raised concerns about the implications of the dual model on the country’s political system.
Historical Contextualization, How Objective Resolution became Part of the Constitution of 1973
After general elections to the national and provincial assemblies, held in February 1985, the Constitution of 1973 was amended through a presidential order- the Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order (RCO). Moreover, it made fundamental alterations to the Constitution, facilitating a departure from its original concepts. Under the RCO, Article 2 A was inserted in the Constitution, making Objective Resolution its substantive and operative part. The alterations include the omission of the word freely, According to the original sixth paragraph of the Objective Resolution, Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to profess and practice their religions and develop their culture freely. However, the RCO led omitted the word freely.
The Constitutional Backbone of Pakistan, the Objective Resolution
The Objective Resolution (1949) embodies the leading principles on which the Constitution of Pakistan is based. It was moved by the then Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan and passed on March 12, 1949, by the first Constitutional Assembly of the country. Moreover, it was incorporated as a preamble into the Constitution of 1956. However, in 1985, the then President Zia ul Haq amended the Constitution of 1973. As a result, the 8th Amendment made Objective Resolution a substantive part of the Constitution of 1973 by inserting Article 2 A. Article 2(A) of the Constitution of 1973 states that the principles and provisions set out in the Objective Resolution reproduced in the Annex are hereby made a substantive part of the Constitution and shall have effect accordingly. In a nutshell, the resolution laid down the guiding principles for governance, encapsulating democratic values with Islamic ideology.
Faith, Sovereignty, and Democracy, the Objective Resolution Satisfied both Orthodox and Modernists
The following points describe how the Resolution is appealing to religious orthodox and modernists.
- ✓Satisfying the Demands of Islamic Orthodox by Incorporating Islamic Principles
First, the Objective Resolution incorporated Islamic principles into the law, such as declaring sovereignty (the divine authority) belongs to Allah Almighty. Thus, it is aligned with Islamic principles, promoting governance based on divine guidance. According to the preamble, the state powers are a sacred trust bestowed on state leadership. Besides, the preamble holds the significance that if anything in the Constitution or to be law contradicts the directive principles as provided in the resolution, then through a judicial review, the courts can declare it null and void, having no legitimacy on the grounds of non-compliance. It ensured that laws in the Constitution would be framed in accordance with the principles of Islam, strengthening the primacy of religious fundamentals in state affairs. In addition, the resolution provides a commitment that the state will enable Muslims to live their lives according to the Quran and Sunnah. The resolution emphasized moral and ethical foundations, such as equality, morality, and social justice, countering concerns regarding Westernization-led secularism. Last, it did not provide for a theocratic governance model but established the ideological basis of the state.
- ✓Appealing Modernists by Including Democratic Features of Governance
Second, the resolution has democratic features, affirming a democratic type of government and ensuring elected representation. In contrast, Islam supports ethical democracy, where a group of qualified intellectuals chooses a person who becomes a leader after getting the consent of citizens. Then, it guaranteed the provision of fundamental rights to all the citizens of the state, such as equality, freedom of speech, and religion. Also, it provided for the protection of minorities’ rights, promoting religious harmony and religious liberty. Thus, it aligns with the modern democratic norms of a democratic country, appealing to liberalists and secularists. Although it provided that modern laws must conform to Islamic principles, it also promotes interpretation while considering the contemporary requirements, opening the way to Ijtihad.
A Balanced Approach or Double Edge Sword, A Critical Analysis of its long term impacts on the Political System of Pakistan
The following points illustrate how the resolution is not less a double-edged sword by analyzing its impact on the country’s political system.
- ✓ Implications on the Governance- Ambiguity in the Provided Model of Governance
First, reconciling two forms of governance led to an ambiguity in the assertion that sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty because leadership is elected. However, in the Islamic system, ethical democracy is practiced based on selective leadership (Caliph-a representative works for the welfare of people). Thus, the provision of elected leadership with a sovereignty clause is an inherent contradiction. So, if interpretations are made on the clause, it may curtail the democratic process because the resolution provides for the compliance of law with the directive principles of Islam, and it acts as a preamble.
- ✓ Implications on the Political System- the Rise of Religious Influence and Minority Rights
Next, reconciling two forms of governance led to ambiguity as the resolution provides equal rights for minorities along with asserting Islamic supremacy. For illustration, conformity of law with the directive principles of sharia (Islamic law). Then, it also raises the question of whether future blasphemy laws maintain the rights of minorities. Last, critics argue that there is an ideological crisis in the country, which is the reason for conflict between Islamists and Modernists, often sparks militant action and rivalries because of the lack of a concrete governance model. The reason is that the resolution facilitates dual commitments.
Conclusion
To conclude, while satisfying Islamic Orthodox and Modernists, the resolution also raised concerns about the implications of the dual model on the country’s political system. In the case of Pakistan, where critics argue that there is an ideological crisis in the country, which is the reason for conflict between Islamists and Modernists and often sparks militant action and rivalries because of the lack of a concrete governance model. The Objective Resolution (1949) embodies the leading principles on which the Constitution of Pakistan is based. It was incorporated as a preamble to the Constitution of 1973 through the 8th Amendment in 1985 by then-President Zia ul Haq, making it a substantive part of the Constitution of 1973 by inserting Article 2 A. However, it appeals to religious orthodox and modernists by satisfying their demands of incorporating Islamic principles and including democratic features in governance. Besides, it can be said that the resolution is no less a double-edged sword by analyzing its impact on the country’s political system because its dual commitments introduced ambiguity in the provided governance model.
CSS 2012 Solved Pakistan Affairs
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students.
General Science & Ability Solved Past Paper
