ISLAMABAD: Senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, in a “non-political speech” addressed the National Constitution Convention (NCC) on Monday saying the apex court stands with the Constitution.
The National Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, a landmark document that laid the foundation of a democratic and progressive society in the country.
The anniversary also comes as the country’s top institutions butt heads with political, economic and constitutional crises all raising the spectre of instability.
Justice Isa finds himself in the middle of an ongoing tussle and deepening divisions within the apex court, made glaringly obvious by the events over the past few weeks surrounding the SC.
The senior judge in his speech, however, maintained that he was present at the NCC “not to deliver a political speech” but because he wanted to state that he and the SC stood behind the Constitution. He also said his colleagues may have not chosen to come due to prior commitments.
He also distanced himself from the “political statements” made at the forum explaining that “it may be that the cases of those in attendance might come before my court and I might have to decide against them”.
Holding a copy of the Constitution in one hand, Justice Isa said “this book is our identity, it is Pakistan’s identity.”
Addressing the attendees of the convention, the SC judge said that all participants were politicians who looked at matters through a perspective, which was different from his as he looked at all issues through the lens of the law.
He maintained that the parliament and the bureaucracy should be focused on serving the people and lamented that “sometimes we don’t hate our enemies as much as we hate each other” as he questioned the reasoning for such behaviour.
“Our job is to make decisions according to the law and the Constitution and your job is to make laws which are beneficial for the people. The job of the executive is to implement the said laws and policies.”
Commending the premier for designating April 10 as the National Constitution Day, Justice Isa urged the participants to embrace the Constitution as it “talks about the people’s basic rights. The most important thing the Constitution talks about is people’s basic rights.”
The SC judge added that Pakistan’s Constitution talked about certain fundamental rights that were not talked about in many other countries.
Concluding his speech, Justice Isa thanked the participants and emphasised that his “institution were also defenders of the Constitution”. He added that all have taken an oath to defend the Constitution and if he does not, he should be critisised.
Justice Isa further reiterated that he had no connection with any political discussions during the day’s gathering.
The resolution presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan was approved while the government announced to April 10 as Constitution Day, every year.
The convention was held in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Constitution. The premier presented the resolution after a short speech.
While reading the resolution, PM Shehbaz stated that the Constitution declared that the supreme sovereignty belonged only to Allah Almighty and the people of Pakistan, through their elected representatives, should exercise this authority within the limits set by Allah (S.W.T).
He continued that the 1973 Constitution approved by the National Assembly on April 10, 1973 was the expression of the hopes and aspirations of the people of Pakistan, and a reflection of the vision of the founders of Pakistan including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal.
“Democracy has principles of equality, freedom and justice,” he said.
Shehbaz stated that the Constitution was a unique manifestation of the diversity and unity of Pakistan, and recognized the rights and autonomy of the provinces while ensuring the political unity of the federation.
He added that the Constitution was the source of guidance and commitment to the parliament and the administration for the supremacy of constitutional principles, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
The prime minister said that the Constitution of 1973 was amended over the years to meet the changing needs and aspirations of the people of Pakistan, while ensuring that it retained its effectiveness over time.
He furthered that today was a very important day in the history of Pakistan as during the passage of 50 years wherein the Constitution was amended at different times, it was still alive despite facing various dictatorships.
Shehbaz said that this “historical achievement “ would be written in golden letters and those who played a role in constructing the Constitution would always be remembered. He added that the names of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Wali Khan, Shah Ahmed Noorani and other leaders were worth mentioning.
He stated that there were many flaws with current day politicians and highlighted that the coalition government had completed one year in office. He maintained that the coalition government had done well in the past year.
He continued that the Constitution had kept the four provinces in the same category, adding that when the coalition took over the government it did not expect the situation in the country to be “so serious”.
Moreover, he remarked that all political parties would go to the elections according to their own manifesto.
