Karachi: The second day of Karachi Literature Festival, a round table took place on the Constitution and the rule of law, with an eminent politician and constitutional expert Senator Raza Rabbani.
Speaking on occasion, Senator Rabbani stressed the importance of revisiting the structure of the Constitution and answering key questions about the state of Pakistan and its evolution since independence.
He stressed that the 26th constitutional amendment is the last change to the Constitution. “We have to focus on the fundamental question – what is the structure of the Constitution?” What is the role of the state of Pakistan, and what has he achieved since its creation? Asked.
He stressed that the founding father of Pakistan Quaid-Ezam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisaged a liberal democratic state.
“However, over time, Pakistan has become a state-focused state. Military management, in collaboration with various groups, worked to maintain their grip on power,” he said.
Referring to the 1973 Constitution as an important achievement with a large consensus, he declared that despite the multiple military control, the Constitution itself has never been modified.
“The fundamental question remains that the main objective of the creation of Pakistan was civil supremacy,” he said.
The senator expressed deep concern about the decline of civil authority.
“In my lifetime, I have never seen such a low point for civilian supremacy as we testify today. Military interference has increased to such an extent that civilian supremacy cannot be restored without remedying it, “he said.
He criticized the role of the judiciary in the legitimization of military interventions. “The judiciary was used by the military-bureaucratic complex in an unprecedented manner, the courts validating military takeover through their decisions,” he said.
The panel ended with an appeal to strengthen democratic institutions and restore the balance of powers to ensure civilian supremacy and the share of law in Pakistan.
