Provincial Assembly Seventh Synopsis (Post) Print

May 2, 1972 to Jan 13, 1977

On July 26, 1969, the Chief Martial Law Administrator assigned the Election Commission the duty of making preparations for the next elections. The Province of West Pakistan was abolished with effect from July 1, 1970, and the provinces of Punjab, Sind, Balochistan and NWFP stood restored1.

The CMLA also promulgated the Legal Framework Order 1970 (PO 2 of 1970)2 providing for constitution of National and Provincial Assemblies3. The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab comprising 186 members was constituted as a result of elections held on December 17, 1970 under the 1970 Order read with LFO (Amendment) Order 1970 (PO 18 of 1970)4.

Due to political unrest, Indo-Pak war and fall of Dacca (on December 16, 1971), its first meeting could not be held until May 2, 1972. The Martial Law was lifted with effect from April 20, 1972. Pending promulgation of an agreed upon Constitution, an Interim Constitution was adopted which came into force on April 21, 1972. This Interim Constitution declared Provincial Assembly of the Punjab (elected in December 1970) to be the first Assembly and its term was fixed as five years (Article 108). After coming into force of this Interim Constitution, the members made oath in the first sitting held on May 2, 1972, which was presided over by Ch Muhammad Yaqub Awan who had been nominated by the Governor to act as such1.

The new Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 was passed by the National Assembly on April 10, 1973; received the assent of the President on April 11, 1973 and came into force on August 14, 1973. The members made oath again under this Constitution2.

Under Article 273(1) of the 1973 Constitution, the Assembly had to complete its life on August 14, 1977, however, the Governor dissolved it with effect from January 13, 19773. This Assembly held 329 sittings over 19 sessions with its last session held from November 1, 1976 to November 26, 1976. This Assembly stayed for 4 years 8 months and 12 days; and passed 118 Acts.

The Second Islamic Summit Conference was held in the Punjab Assembly Building in February 1974. Almost all the heads of Islamic countries from all over the world participated in the Conference. A Summit Minaret has been built in front of the Assembly Building in commemoration of this historic Conference.