THE 1962 CONSTITUTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PARTY POLITICS IN PAKISTAN: A STUDY OF CONTROLLED DEMOCRACY UNDER AYUB KHAN

الملخص

This study investigates the impact of the 1962 Constitution on the evolution and functioning of party politics in Pakistan. It explores how the constitutional framework influenced the political landscape by assessing the multifaceted roles of political parties as intermediaries between the state and society. The research also highlights the adverse effects of Ayub Khan’s martial law regime, during which party politics experienced severe constraints as political activities were banned and party functions suspended. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws upon both primary and secondary sources to address the research questions. It concludes that following the promulgation of the 1962 Constitution, the National Assembly enacted the revival of Political Parties Act, which restored the role of political organizations in Pakistan’s political arena. Consequently, political parties actively re-engaged in political processes, culminating in the formation of the Combined Opposition Parties (COP) alliance against Ayub Khan and his administration, which notably participated in the 1965 elections.