FAFEN calls for inclusion of broader governance reforms
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has called for transparent and inclusive political dialogue on the proposed constitutional reforms to strengthen parliamentary supremacy as a prerequisite for democratic consolidation in Pakistan.
While acknowledging the government and its coalition partners’ expressed intent to introduce judicial reforms via a constitutional amendment, FAFEN proposes an expanded scope to include other critical reforms that are required to strengthen legislative, electoral, and local governance in the country.
With agreement in principle on the rationale for segregating appellate and constitutional courts, FAFEN stresses a holistic approach to these reforms to build broader political consensus, even if the ruling parties can get the required support of a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament for the proposed amendments.
In a statement FAFEN said it believed that the ongoing political instability in the country stemmed from constitutional weaknesses that allowed institutional power imbalances to obscure the separation of powers envisioned by the framers of the 1973 Constitution.
These weaknesses must be urgently addressed to clearly define the powers of state institutions without compromising their independence and infringing upon fundamental rights.
The focus of these reforms should primarily be on enhancing parliamentary authority to ensure its role as the ultimate custodian of the people’s interests and priorities.
A stronger Parliament is crucial to promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, which have increasingly come under threat, eroding citizen-state trust.
FAFEN urges political parties to engage for parliamentary supremacy and put aside personal and parochial differences that are leading to yet another political deadlock.
