Constitution a sacred document, credit goes to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Syed Zahid Abbas Shah

Abdullah Jan

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Germany President Syed Zahid Abbas Shah said this week that constitution of the country was a sacred document and credit for the unanimous constitution goes to PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

The veteran PPP leader who was invited as state guest to attend the Golden Jubilee Convention of the 1973 Constitution in Islamabad said the PPP had laid down unprecedented sacrifices for the supremacy of the constitution.

“The 1973constitution is a binding force of the nation. We are all united on the constitution,” Syed Zahid Abbas Shah said in a message at the end of his trip.

The National Assembly earlier observed the Golden Jubilee Convention of the 1973 Constitution, paying homage to the members of the Constitution Committee of that year and the fifth lower house of parliament.

Drafted by the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with additional assistance from the country’s opposition parties, the Constitution was unanimously approved by the fifth parliament on April 10 and ratified on August 14, 1973.

A resolution was presented by Senator Raza Rabbani and unanimously adopted by the convention held at the National Assembly Hall.

The resolution said the framers of the Constitution of Pakistan, under the leadership of the then president of the Constituent Assembly, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, with the meaningful participation of all political leaders, worked tirelessly to ensure that the Constitution represented the aspirations of the people of Pakistan.

It said the 25 members of the Constitution Committee along with all members of the fifth National Assembly who debated, discussed, and voted in favour of the Constitution were worthy of admiration, respect, and gratitude for their contributions to Pakistan’s constitutional history, which laid the foundation for its progress and prosperity.

“The Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is an occasion to pay tribute to the framers of the Constitution and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution.

“The Golden Jubilee Celebration Year of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is also an occasion to express denunciation of all those who abrogated, subverted, and suspended the Constitution and/or upheld or otherwise lent legitimacy to it; and to reaffirm our commitment to protect the Constitution from any adventurism.”

The resolution said the Constitution of Pakistan was the supreme law of the land, and it defined the basic structure, functions, and powers of the state and its institutions.

The Constitution of Pakistan adopted in 1973 was drafted by a committee of 25 members under the chairmanship of Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, who worked tirelessly and with great dedication to ensure that the Constitution reflected the aspirations and ideals of the people of Pakistan.

The Constitution Committee of 1973 included distinguished jurists, scholars, and political leaders, who sacrificed their time, energy, and resources in a selfless manner for the betterment of Pakistan.

Syed Zahid Abbas Shah said the PPP will continue to stand for a united nation and a supreme constitution which were keys to progress.

During his brief stay in Syed Zahid Abbas Shah met senior PPP leaders and discussed the political situation of the country.