How this paper is set and answered
From the notes printed under FPSC's own Revised Scheme tables.
- Ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper of Essay. Similarly there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Complete Constitutional Law Syllabus
The full official FPSC syllabus, reproduced section by section from the source document.
1Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts
1 point
- (Constitutional Conventions, Rule of Law, Due Process), Constitutional Structures (Parliamentary, Presidential, Separation of Powers), Judiciary (Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review, Theories of Constitutional Interpretation) Fundamental Human and Political Rights and Civil Liberties (freedom of speech, association, assembly, movement and Right to Counsel, life, property, religion, privacy, self incrimination, double jeopardy).
2Principles of Constitutional Law with special reference to United Kingdom, United
1 point
- States of America, France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and Turkey.
3Constitutional History of Pakistan: Principles of Constitutional Law of Pakistan,
1 point
- Salient feature of the Government of India Act, 1935, Indian Independence Act 1947, Objectives Resolution 1949, Constitutions of 1956, 1962 and 1973, Abrogation and Suspension of the Constitutions and the Martial Laws, Legal Framework Order, 1970, The PCO of 1981, The RCO of 1985, The LFO-2002, Amendments in the 1973 Constitution.
4Legal Development:
18 points
- Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan v. Federation of Pakistan PLD 1955 Sindh 96.
- Federation of Pakistan vs. Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, PLD 1955 FC 240
- Reference by the Governor-General PLD 1955 FC 435
- State v. Dosso PLD 1958 SC 533.
- Usif Patel v. Crown PLD 1955 FC 387
- Begum Nusrat Bhutto v. Chief of the Army Staff PLD 1977 SC 657
- Hakim Khan v. Government of Pakistan PLD 1992 SC 595
- Nawaz Sharif v. President of Pakistan PLD 1993 SC 473
- Benazir Bhutto v. the President of Pakistan PLD 1992 SC 492
- Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, PLD 1988 Lah. 725
- Federation of Pakistan v. Haji Saifullah Khan PLD 1989 SC 166
- Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim PLD 1992 SC 646
- Benazir Bhutto v. President of Pakistan, PLD 1998 SC 388
- Asma Jilani v. Government of the Punjab PLD 1972 SC 139
- State v. Zia ur Rehman PLD 1973 SC 49
- Mahmood Khan Achakzai v. Fed. of Pakistan PLD 1997 SC 426
- Zafar Ali Shah v. General Pervez Musharraf, PLD 2000 SC 869.
- Sindh High Court Association v. Federation of Pakistan, PLD 2009 SC 879.
Preparation Strategy for Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law tests a candidate's grasp of fundamental legal principles, comparative constitutional systems, and the intricate constitutional history of Pakistan. The paper is structured to assess both theoretical understanding and the ability to apply concepts to real-world legal developments. A strong script demonstrates a clear understanding of core concepts, provides well-reasoned comparative analysis, and accurately articulates the evolution and impact of constitutional law in Pakistan, supported by relevant case law.
Constitutional Law (100 marks) requires precise legal referencing and an analytical understanding of global constitutional frameworks.
1. Comparative Constitutions: Master the distinct features of the British (unwritten), US (written, rigid), French, and Russian constitutions.
2. Pakistan's Constitutional History: Completely memorize the fundamental rights, state structure, and major amendments (like the 18th Amendment) of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.
3. Use Legal Terminology: Support every argument with specific Article numbers and incredibly significant landmark judicial precedence cases.
Paper by paper
Focus on developing a strong conceptual foundation in constitutional theory, including concepts like Rule of Law and Judicial Review. Dedicate significant attention to the comparative analysis of constitutional principles across the specified countries, ensuring you can highlight similarities and differences. Master Pakistan's constitutional history, including key acts, constitutions, and the detailed legal developments through landmark Supreme Court cases, as this forms a substantial part of the paper.
A six-month plan
- 1Foundational ConceptsWeeks 1-4
Focus on "Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts" including Constitutional Conventions, Rule of Law, Due Process, and Constitutional Structures. Understand the roles of the Judiciary, Judicial Review, and theories of interpretation.
- 2Comparative ConstitutionalismWeeks 5-10
Dive into "Principles of Constitutional Law with special reference to United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and Turkey". Identify key features and differences in their systems.
- 3Pakistan's Constitutional JourneyWeeks 11-16
Concentrate on "Constitutional History of Pakistan: Principles of Constitutional Law of Pakistan" covering all specified acts, resolutions, constitutions, abrogations, martial laws, and amendments.
- 4Legal Developments & IntegrationWeeks 17-20
Thoroughly study the "Legal Development" section, understanding the facts, rulings, and implications of each listed case. Integrate these cases with the historical context and theoretical concepts.
- 5Revision and PracticeWeeks 21-24
Revise all sections, focusing on interlinking concepts, comparative aspects, and the historical timeline. Practice essay writing and objective questions.
Using CSSPrep.AI for Constitutional Law
Only the tools that genuinely support this subject are listed.
Practice structuring comprehensive answers for analytical questions.
Try: Discuss the impact of abrogation and suspension of the Constitutions and the Martial Laws on Pakistan's constitutional development, referencing key legal developments.
To break down complex topics into manageable components, understanding their historical context, key actors, and arguments.
Try: Separation of Powers
To test knowledge of definitions, key dates, and case details, reinforcing recall for the objective paper component.
To receive structured feedback on written answers, identifying areas for improvement in content, structure, evidence, and language against the CSS rubric.
High-yield topics
Each one is traced back to the section of the official syllabus it comes from.
These are foundational concepts frequently tested for their definition, application, and comparative understanding across different constitutional systems.
Syllabus section: Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts
Critical aspects of modern constitutionalism, often examined in the context of separation of powers and their practical implementation, especially in Pakistan.
Syllabus section: Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts
A core component of any constitution, candidates must understand the scope and limitations of these rights, often requiring comparative examples.
Syllabus section: Definition and Scope of Constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts
Understanding the evolution, salient features, and reasons for the promulgation and abrogation of these constitutions is central to Pakistan's constitutional history.
Syllabus section: Constitutional History of Pakistan: Principles of Constitutional Law of Pakistan,
This recurring theme is vital for understanding the challenges to constitutionalism in Pakistan and is often linked with specific legal developments.
Syllabus section: Constitutional History of Pakistan: Principles of Constitutional Law of Pakistan,
This landmark case is crucial for understanding the judiciary's role in validating or invalidating extra-constitutional actions and its implications for the doctrine of necessity.
Syllabus section: Legal Development:
This case represents a significant moment in Pakistan's judicial history, particularly concerning judicial independence and the restoration of judges.
Syllabus section: Legal Development:
Common mistakes in Constitutional Law answers
- Failing to provide specific examples or comparative analysis when discussing constitutional principles of different countries.
- Lack of detailed knowledge regarding the specific provisions and historical context of Pakistan's various constitutions and constitutional amendments.
- Superficial understanding or misapplication of landmark legal cases, often just naming them without explaining their significance or ratio decidendi.
- Confusing theoretical constitutional concepts (like conventions) with codified law, leading to inaccurate analysis.
- Presenting generic answers that could apply to any legal system, instead of focusing on the nuances and specific challenges within the Pakistani context.
FPSC recommended books
The 8 books FPSC lists for Constitutional Law in the official syllabus.
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. Comparative Constitutional Law | Hamid Khan & M.W. Rana |
| 2. Constitution of Pakistan 1973 | Shabbar Raza Rizvi |
| 3. Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution | Dicey |
| 4. Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law | J.M. Smits |
| 5. Constitutional & Political History of Pakistan | Hamid Khan, Advocate |
| 6. Human Rights in Constitutional Law | SR. Bansali |
| 7. Constitutional Documents of Pakistan | Safdar Mahmood |
| 8. The Leading Cases in Constitutional Law | A.G.Chaudhry |
Frequently asked questions
How should I approach the "Principles of Constitutional Law with special reference to..." section, given the number of countries?
Focus on identifying key constitutional features and principles for each country, such as their form of government, judicial review mechanisms, and fundamental rights. Emphasise comparative analysis, highlighting similarities and differences rather than memorising each constitution in detail.
Is it necessary to memorise all the details of every legal development case listed in the syllabus?
While full memorisation isn't required, you must understand the core facts, the legal questions involved, the Supreme Court's ruling, and the constitutional implications of each case. Focus on how these cases shaped Pakistan's constitutional trajectory.
How can I differentiate between Constitutional Conventions, Rule of Law, and Due Process effectively in my answers?
Clearly define each concept, provide examples where they apply, and explain their distinct roles within a constitutional framework. Constitutional conventions are unwritten rules, Rule of Law ensures governance by law, and Due Process ensures fair legal treatment.
What is the best way to study the "Constitutional History of Pakistan" section?
Create a chronological timeline of all the acts, resolutions, constitutions, and martial laws mentioned. Understand the context, key provisions, and impact of each event on the subsequent constitutional development of Pakistan.
How important is it to refer to the FPSC recommended books?
The recommended books provide comprehensive coverage and diverse perspectives on the syllabus topics. While not mandatory to read all, consulting relevant chapters from a few key texts, especially those on Pakistani constitutional history and comparative law, can significantly deepen your understanding.
Should I focus more on theoretical concepts or Pakistan-specific constitutional law?
Both are equally important. The paper tests both foundational constitutional concepts and their application, particularly within the Pakistani context. A balanced approach, integrating theory with Pakistan's constitutional history and legal developments, is crucial for a strong performance.
Syllabus text reproduced from Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination, CE-2016 (updated 7 July 2015), pages 60-61. Marks and grouping are from the same document's Revised Scheme tables. Verify against the official PDF before relying on it.