Focus on rights of people: ‘Constitutional amendments should not serve individuals’
Speakers insist on greater dialogue among state institutions, greater autonomy
PHOTO: TRIBUNE
ISLAMABAD :
A broader dialogue among the state institutions is imperative to sustain and strengthen democratic values in the country.
Moreover, strengthening the parliament would play a crucial role in promoting democratic values.
This was stated by speakers at a seminar titled ‘Role of Institutions in Strengthening Democratic Dispensation’, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Wednesday.
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Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) senior leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that a functional democracy, which was representative of the peoples’ aspirations, cannot be formed until people themselves do not come forward and protect the Constitution.
In a veiled reference to the ruling party’s attempts to amend the Constitution, Bukhari said that the right time to make amendments to the constitution would be after political parties take fresh mandate. Moreover, he said that these amendments should focus on the rights of the people rather than serving individual interests, he added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Shafqat Mehmood said that corruption was being concealed under the garb of democracy. “We need to give our institutions autonomy to strengthen democracy in the country,” he asserted.
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Mehmood noted that while military dictators destroyed institutions, including the judiciary and the parliament, politicians should not be spared criticism for their role in weakening democratic institutions.
SDPI Executive Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri stressed the need for initiating a national dialogue since a discord between various institutions was becoming increasingly apparent.
Awami National Party leader Afrasiab Khattak said that civilian governments in Pakistan have always been undermined by more powerful sections.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2017.
A broader dialogue among the state institutions is imperative to sustain and strengthen democratic values in the country.
Moreover, strengthening the parliament would play a crucial role in promoting democratic values.
This was stated by speakers at a seminar titled ‘Role of Institutions in Strengthening Democratic Dispensation’, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Wednesday.
Three districts of AJK top in education ranking
Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) senior leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that a functional democracy, which was representative of the peoples’ aspirations, cannot be formed until people themselves do not come forward and protect the Constitution.
In a veiled reference to the ruling party’s attempts to amend the Constitution, Bukhari said that the right time to make amendments to the constitution would be after political parties take fresh mandate. Moreover, he said that these amendments should focus on the rights of the people rather than serving individual interests, he added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Shafqat Mehmood said that corruption was being concealed under the garb of democracy. “We need to give our institutions autonomy to strengthen democracy in the country,” he asserted.
Academic exchange: SDPI inks agreement with Thai university
Mehmood noted that while military dictators destroyed institutions, including the judiciary and the parliament, politicians should not be spared criticism for their role in weakening democratic institutions.
SDPI Executive Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri stressed the need for initiating a national dialogue since a discord between various institutions was becoming increasingly apparent.
Awami National Party leader Afrasiab Khattak said that civilian governments in Pakistan have always been undermined by more powerful sections.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2017.