The National Assembly on Monday observed the Golden Jubilee Convention of the 1973 Constitution, paying homage to the members of the Constitution Committee of that year and the fifth lower house of parliament.
Drafted by the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with additional assistance from the country's opposition parties, the Constitution was unanimously approved by the fifth parliament on April 10 and ratified on August 14, 1973.
A resolution was presented by Senator Raza Rabbani and unanimously adopted by the convention held at the National Assembly Hall.
The resolution said the framers of the Constitution of Pakistan, under the leadership of the then president of the Constituent Assembly, Bhutto, with the meaningful participation of all political leaders, worked tirelessly to ensure that the Constitution represented the aspirations of the people of Pakistan.
It said the 25 members of the Constitution Committee along with all members of the fifth National Assembly who debated, discussed, and voted in favour of the Constitution were worthy of admiration, respect, and gratitude for their contributions to Pakistan's constitutional history, which laid the foundation for its progress and prosperity.
“The Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is an occasion to pay tribute to the framers of the Constitution and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution.
“The Golden Jubilee Celebration Year of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is also an occasion to express denunciation of all those who abrogated, subverted, and suspended the Constitution and/or upheld or otherwise lent legitimacy to it; and to reaffirm our commitment to protect the Constitution from any adventurism.”
The resolution said the Constitution of Pakistan was the supreme law of the land, and it defined the basic structure, functions, and powers of the state and its institutions.
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The Constitution of Pakistan adopted in 1973 was drafted by a committee of 25 members under the chairmanship of Honorable Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, who worked tirelessly and with great dedication to ensure that the Constitution reflected the aspirations and ideals of the people of Pakistan.
The Constitution Committee of 1973 included distinguished jurists, scholars, and political leaders, who sacrificed their time, energy, and resources in a selfless manner for the betterment of Pakistan.
The resolution expressed resolve that parliament commemorated the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and paid homage to the framers of the Constitution – who came from all walks of life representing all provinces, socio-culture, and religious segments – for their vision, dedication, and commitment to the people of Pakistan. It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, and to ensuring that the Constitution remained a living document that reflected the aspirations and needs of the people of Pakistan.
The resolution saluted the members of the Constitution Committee of 1973 and National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for their dedication, commitment, and vision in drafting the Constitution of Pakistan, which remained a beacon of hope and inspiration for the people of Pakistan.
The resolution expressed denunciation of all those who abrogated, subverted, and suspended the Constitution and/or upheld or otherwise lent legitimacy to it.
It acknowledged and appreciated the hard work and sacrifices made by the members of the Constitution Committee of 1973 and the fifth National Assembly and recognised their invaluable contribution to Pakistan's constitutional heritage.
The resolution expressed its gratitude and deep appreciation for the outstanding leadership of the then President of the Constituent Assembly, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Speaker Honorable Fazal Elahi Chaudhry as well as the Honorable Abdul Hafeez Pirzada who chaired the Constitution Committee of 1973 with great wisdom, integrity, and impartiality.
The resolution also recalled with gratitude the historic contributions in the service of the people and the country by stalwarts like the then Leader of the Opposition Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Maulana Mufti Mehmood, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Khan Abdul Qayuum Khan, Mumtaz Daultana, Sardar Shaukat Hayat and others.
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The resolution calls upon all institutions and citizens of Pakistan to uphold the Constitution of Pakistan of 1973 and to honour the spirit and values of its framers, who sought to create a just, egalitarian, and democratic society based on the principles of Islam and democracy.
It declared all the members of the Constitution Committee of 1973 and the fifth National Assembly as the national heroes of Pakistan.
The resolution declared that all those who abrogated, subverted, and suspended the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and/or upheld or otherwise lent legitimacy to it would always find themselves mentioned in the national hall of embarrassment.
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