‘Time to ensure constitution protects all basic rights of citizens’

Karachi 

The Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler) has hailed the celebration of “Constitution Day” from April 10 to 12 to pay glowing tributes to the founders of Pakistan’s constitution and other unsung heroes who offered sacrifices for strengthening the foundation of a democratic culture in the country and uphold the dignity of parliament.

In a statement issued on Monday, Piler’s executive director Karamat Ali appreciated the role of Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani for initiating the observance of Constitution Day.

He said time had come to make the existing constitution a document for ensuring all the fundamental rights of all its citizens without any discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, sect, language, colour, creed or class. 

“There is a need to bring all basic enshrined the Principles of Policy (Articles 29-40) to the section of Fundamental Rights (Articles 8-28) in the constitution,” remarked Ali. “At present, the observance of any particular Principle of Policy is regarded as being subject to the availability of resources.

He said promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils, promotion of social and economic wellbeing of the people, promotion of local government institutions, full participation of women in national life and protection of minorities, were among the rights part of the “Principles of Policy”.

He demanded that all controversial amendments made under the military dictators’ rule or duress should be removed from the constitution and the document should be restored to its original form. Ali said though many changes have been made in the constitution under the 18th amendment, there was a dire need to make a truly democratic and participatory instrument which ensured inclusion and protections of rights of all communities.

He urged members of the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms to initiate the public consultations for seeking recommendations from the people and include them in the constitution.

The committee is headed by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani (Chairperson) and its members are Dr Babar Awan, Haji Muhammad Adeel, Mir Israr Ullah Zehri, Afrasiab Khattak, Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Nawabzada Mir Haji Lashkari Raisani as its members.

The Piler chief recommended that the Constitution should turned into a true representative of the people with equal opportunities to the every sections of the society including peasants, workers and other vulnerable communities to be elected.