Seeking Political Stability on Constitution’s Golden Jubilee

Asem Mustafa Awan

In the National Constitutional Convention, emphasis was placed on working together for the bright future of Pakistan and the supremacy of the Constitution. It was reiterated time and again that all state institutions should follow the Constitution to ensure the protection of the rights of the people.

On April 10, 1973, the Constitution of Pakistan was unanimously approved by all political parties, and a convention held on Monday marked the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution.

Senator Raza Rabbani eulogised the names of the lawmakers who were part of the formation of the constitution. There are no two opinions about the fact that the Constitution of 1973 not only guarantees the protection of the rights of the people but also gives solutions to the problems in its implementation.

It is a bitter reality. The PPP, which claims to be the founder of the Constitution of Pakistan, has started a series of amendments to the Constitution as per political needs during its tenures in power. Seven amendments were made during the tenure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, while the eighth was made during the dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq. It is a sad reality that these amendments to the Constitution were made for political and personal interests not only in the era of dictatorship but also in the democratic era, in the previous tenures of the Muslim League-Nawaz and PPP.

However, the Pakistan People’s Party deserves credit for the fact that former President Asif Zardari, in his tenure from 2008 to 2013, tried to restore the 1973 Constitution in its original form. Mr. Zardari relinquished his powers and made Parliament the supreme institution, and this deserves praise.

The PPP entered into a pact with its worst rival, the PML-N, to restore democracy and the Constitution. In 2013, during the rule of the Muslim League-N, PPP was termed friendly opposition’.

PML-N in particular has a very tainted history in terms of honouring the Constitution and the rule of law. During the tenure of Mian Nawaz Sharif as prime minister, the Constitution was even amended to increase personal powers. The Supreme Court was also attacked.

Once again, the ruling coalition under the leadership of the PML-N is making attempts to make constitutional and legal matters deliberately controversial. The most blatant example that has attracted global attention is the attempt by government officials to make the honourable judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan controversial.

The Constitution, law, and even history are being defined according to likes and dislikes, and PM Shehbaz Sharif, during the Golden Jubilee Convention of the Constitution, quoted Justice Munir, who introduced the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ in Pakistan and changed the course of history.

The ruling coalition has emphasised ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, but unfortunately, when it comes to implementation, except for PPP, they refuse to accept the constitutional requirements.

The ruling coalition claims to fully implement the Constitution but apparently is not willing to accept the provision of the Constitution for holding elections within 90 days in case of dissolution of the provincial assembly.

A two-thirds majority is needed to make constitutional amendments, which is not there, but threats and tarnishing the repute of honourable judges in the Supreme Court are carried out in full swing.