The participants of the seminar organized by the Human Rights Department of the Government of Sindh have termed the full implementation of the 1973 Constitution as the only course of action to solve all the problems faced by Pakistan and demanded the federal and provincial governments that the constitutionalism subject should be made a part of the educational curriculum to create a dynamic democracy and a balanced society.In connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of 1973 Constitution.
Sindh Human Rights Department organized a seminar under the banner “Fundamental Rights in 1973 Constitution” in a local hotel here on Wednesday, in which president PPP Sindh chapter Senator Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Human Rights Surendar Valasai, Secretary Sindh Human Rights Department Javed Sibghatullah Mahar, Advocate General Sindh M Hasan Akbar, Zafarullah Khan Advocate, Additional Advocate General Ms Kalpana Devi, Chairman Human Rights Commission Sindh Iqbal Detho, Former Provincial Secretary Abdul Rahim Soomro and others addressed.
Addressing the seminar, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, Surendar Valasai said that Pakistan under the leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, then Prime Minister of Pakistan took a momentous footstep towards providing a holistic and solid framework for consolidation of democratic process in the country and upholding fundamental rights by adopting the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.
“The 1973 Constitution is a landmark document that established the basic features of federal politics, democratic governance, fiscal justice and balance of powers among institutions in the country,” adding that the 1973 Constitution guarantees all the basic human rights, which are given in the World Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on Fundamental Human Rights. Surrendar Valasai said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto struggled hard to safeguard the Constitution and its sanctity, while former President Asif Ali Zardari restored the 1973 Constitution in its original form. “PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has categorically been conveying his firm belief in the constitutionalism and upholding fundamental rights to consolidate democracy in the country and establishing true federal spirit,” he said.Speaking at the seminar, Chief Guest and president PPP Sindh chapter Senator Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that the Pakistan’s history is divided into two eras, one of which is the unconstitutional period and the other is the constitutional era.
During the unconstitutional period, people were denied the right to vote and the country’s founding leaders were falsely accused and insulted.
“Right from the beginning of the constitutional era, politicians showed political wisdom. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, realizing the importance of the constitution, led the process of its creation, while other leaders also joined his hands to the constitution-making process,” he said.Senator Nisar Ahmad Khuhro said that Article 58 (2) (b) was also a violation of fundamental rights, as the dismissal of the elected government of the people by an individual is tantamount to violation of fundamental rights. He said that till now there have been two attacks on the constitution in the form of dictatorships, while many people have sacrificed for the sake of this constitution. He urged the Sindh Human Rights Department to play its role on making the constitutionalism subject a part of the educational curriculum.Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar, the secretary to Sindh Human Rights Department, said that his department is playing the role of a bridge between all relevant institutions and stakeholders in addition to fulfilling its responsibilities regarding the promotion and protection of human rights in the province. He said that efforts are being made by his department to promote human rights in the society through awareness seminars, training workshops and other such initiatives.
