Pakistan became an Islamic Republic in:

The correct answer is A: 1956. Pakistan officially adopted its first constitution on March 23, 1956. This landmark constitution proclaimed Pakistan as an Islamic Republic, a significant shift from its initial status as a dominion within the British Commonwealth. This event marked a crucial milestone in the country's political and religious identity, laying the groundwork for its future governance structure and explicitly incorporating Islamic principles into its state name and legal framework. The 1956 Constitution reflected the aspirations of its founders for a state that balanced modern democratic principles with its Islamic heritage, establishing the country's foundational identity.

• B: 1962 is incorrect. This year saw the promulgation of a new constitution under General Ayub Khan, which altered the governmental structure but did not establish Pakistan as an Islamic Republic; that status was already set.
• C: 1973 is incorrect. Pakistan adopted its third and current constitution in 1973, which further solidified its identity as an Islamic Republic and enshrined more detailed Islamic provisions. However, it was not the year the country *first became* an Islamic Republic.
• D: 1947 is incorrect. 1947 is the year Pakistan gained independence from British rule. It was initially established as the Dominion of Pakistan, not yet formally an Islamic Republic, with the identity formalized a decade later.