More than 25 years had passed since the independence of Pakistan when the nation under the leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto managed to get the Constitution of 1973 which completed 50 years yesterday.
However, the story of this half century is that the country’s constitution of 1973, which was considered responsible for the provision of basic human rights to the citizens, unfortunately could not fulfill its promises. Over the past 50 years, gross violations of human rights have become part of our culture.
As a nation, we have failed to give the poor their right and to uphold and follow the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution. There is a need for the nation to revise its attitudes regarding violating of law so that we can be recognized as a law-abiding nation in the world.
In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we have also failed to create a society that adheres to the values of Islam. Our actions have made us a banana republic where flagrant violations of the law are becoming an order of the day. Sometimes it feels like the law of the jungle is in force in the country where the powerful can do whatever they want but the poor are deprived of their rights as per the law.
Against all odds, the country’s constitution provides us with the foundation for a democratic and just society, despite past and present governments failing to fully or partially enforce the law.
In reality, the problem is that no one, from the Pakistani people to politicians and parliamentarians, is willing to abide by the law, on this weakness of the legal system, the powerful exploit the weak, while justice is only for the rich and influential.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Pakistan, we should think how we can become a better nation. As a nation, we need to be accountable and ask ourselves whether we are living according to the principles mentioned in the constitution. So that we can become a nation that makes law-abidingness its motto.
The beginning has to be done by political leaders who can set an example by promoting a culture of law-abiding and accountability. They have to ensure that the institutions of rule of law and justice are performing their work in a timely and proper manner.
Institutions should be made free from corruption. People should also play their role in a just society. Let us be a nation that respects the rights of others and embraces tolerance. Every section of the society should have equal access to law.
