Call for protecting minorities’ rights

Speakers ask parliamentarians to overcome crises that threaten democracy

ISLAMABAD:

Political leaders, parliamentarians and experts on Thursday emphasised the importance of Pakistan's Constitution in establishing democracy, protecting minority rights and promoting social justice.

They were speaking at the International Parliamentary Convention being organised by National Assembly Secretariat in connection with Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The speakers stressed the role of parliament as the people's representative and the need to prevent non-constitutional forces from interfering. The UN Charter and international laws were cited as means for resolving disputes.

Discussions included the need to learn from past mistakes, and to promote teachings of Islam, which encourage tolerance and non-discrimination. The session focused on threats to the Constitution, including its suspension and abrogation, and the impact of emergency rules on democracy and the rule of law.

It also discussed ways to navigate and overcome crises that threaten democracy, such as national security threats, social unrest, and political and economic instability, and the role of constitutional principles and institutions in promoting resilience and stability during times of crisis.

Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranjha said that the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed rights to people of all religions and had taken into account all future challenges. Chairing the first session titled Constitution in the age of Crises: Navigating Challenges,” in the International Convention as part of Pakistan's Golden Jubilee of the Constitution, he also highlighted that parliamentary discussions assist in comprehending the Constitution.

Moreover, he emphasised that it was imperative to practice tolerance, and social justice, and protect the rights of minorities in accordance with Islamic teachings and the Constitution of Pakistan to ensure effective democratic governance.

According to the Constitution of Pakistan, there is a significant link between the fundamental rights of people and the Holy Quran. The Constitution is designed to encompass and address all situations.

The Kyrgyzstan representative expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervez Ashraf, for organising the convention. Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan are both interested in boosting cooperation in tourism, healthcare, trade, and the economy. They have recently signed the Charter of Operation to strengthen their collaboration. The representative also welcomed new investment prospects between the two nations.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed emphasized the significance of the Constitution in establishing a functional democracy in Pakistan.

He highlighted the parliament's role as a representative of its country and people and warned against constitutional violations and non-constitutional forces. He also mentioned the provisions for resolving disputes between countries under the United Nations Charter and international laws.

The senator also emphasised the importance of the Constitution in forming the basis for a functioning democracy in Pakistan. He said that parliament served as a representative of its country and people, and there was consensus among political parties based on the Constitution.

This democratic process was the purpose of Pakistan's creation, and it relied on the foundation of democratic rule and the Constitution, he added. However, Pakistan has a history of constitutional violations, such as judicial activism, military coups, and amendments targeting specific individuals. Similarly, other countries, like the United States and India, have also violated their own Constitutions. For example, the US violated its Constitution by going to war in Iraq in 2003 without proper validation from Congress, and the Supreme Court's decision in President George Bush vs. Al Gore presidential election was a violation of the Constitution as it declared Bush the winner by a 5-4 majority. India has also had various violations, including the promulgation of emergency by Indra Gandhi and blatant violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, a member of the Mutahidda Quomi Movement (MQM), said the current crisis in Pakistan is largely due to the fact that the country's Constitution has failed to safeguard the rights of its citizens. He believes that this failure has led to the emergence of a troubling phenomenon known as the "doctrine of necessity," which allows the ruling elite to purge themselves of any opposition, thereby consolidating their power and undermining democratic institutions.

Siddiqui also made a comparison between Pakistan and India, stating that the people of Pakistan have never elected any extremist as their ruler, unlike India, where religious bigots have been elected as leaders. He went on to suggest that the dangers to world peace come from India, rather than Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2023.