The Constitution of 1973 is the third and current Constitution of Pakistan, passed by the National Assembly on 10 April 1973 and enforced on 14 August 1973. It was framed under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with broad consensus from all major political parties, marking a return to parliamentary democracy.

The Constitution provides a federal structure with a bicameral legislature consisting of the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). It defines Islam as the state religion and declares Pakistan an Islamic Republic, while also guaranteeing fundamental rights and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.

Key features include:

• Parliamentary form of government

• Prime Minister as executive head and President as ceremonial head

• Bicameral legislature: National Assembly and Senate

• Islam as the state religion

• Declaration that only a Muslim can be Prime Minister or President

• Equal representation of provinces in Senate

• Fundamental rights and freedom of religion, expression, and assembly

• Judiciary given power of judicial review

The Constitution of 1973 has been amended multiple times but remains in force. It is seen as the most democratic and representative constitution in Pakistan’s history and a key milestone in the country’s constitutional development.