Parliament is the nucleus of power, author of constitution & sole legislative organ of the state: Raja Pervez Ashraf

ISLAMABAD, May 10 (SABAH): A two-day International Parliamentary Convention in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan is in progress in Islamabad.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Convention, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf said that 10th April 1973 is the most bright, shining and historic moment in our national history after 14th August 1947 as on this day, our national leadership unanimously gave a  consensus constitution to the country.

The Speaker paid homage to the framers of the constitution saying that they rose above all interests and gave the nation a united identity as free and equal citizens of an Islamic democratic federal state.

Raja Pervez Ashraf informed the audiences that his Secretariat has rediscovered the entire record of the proceedings of the 26-member Constitution Drafting Committee, which was remained missing from the public eye for fifty years.

The Speaker ordered that this record be de-classified and printed to shape a book and made available to all citizens of Pakistan for research and public knowledge.

Alluding to the struggle of political forces and other segments of society for the restoration of democracy and revival of the 1973 Constitution, the Speaker said it was the result of united efforts that purged the Constitution from the infringements of dictators.

He pointed out that the 18th Amendment in 2010 not only restored the Constitution to its previous glory, but further improved to fulfill the promise of complete provincial autonomy as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and as promised in 1973 Constitution.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that the parliament is the nucleus of power. It is the author of the Constitution and is the sole legislative organ.

He said the people’s will stems from here and all institutions must be answerable to this sovereign and supreme body of the people.

He said this is the crux of our constitution and this is only way to an all-inclusive, mutually respecting, diverse and dialogue based Pakistan.

The Speaker emphasized the need for full adherence to the constitution in order to make Pakistan the ideal Islamic Federal Parliamentary Democracy.

Speaker said that “Parliament is the nucleus of power, author of constitution and sole legislative organ of the state”. He further said that parliament represent and mirror the will of the people hence all the state institutions are answerable to the parliament. The speaker further apprised the delegates about the struggles, efforts involved while paving the way towards the constitution of 1973. He also lamented that constitutional and political process was hampered by multiple episodes of dictatorships.

He added, “Our first democratically elected Prime minister and founder of constitution Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was sent to gallows where constitution was kept into abeyance or tempered.” While highlighting the importance of 18th amendment, he said that it restored original spirit of the constitution but ensured complete provincial autonomy envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He said, ” We have to yet ensure complete fulfillment of article 26, article 3, 25 and 25-A of the constitution and eliminate gaps in promise and performance.” The speaker further said that he believes in the quote of her leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that “democracy in not a product but a continuous process”. He further added that It encapsulates the building blocks of democracy including free and impartial media, women’s participation, transparent elections and impartial judiciary. 1973 constitution promised these building blocks of democracy to achieve the goal of an ideal Islamic, federal parliamentary democracy.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan is hosting a two-day international constitutional convention at Parliament House of Pakistan where speakers, deputy speakers, constitutionalists and representatives from different walks of life from more than 17 countries gathered to join golden Jubilee Celebrations of the constitution of Pakistan.