EDITORIAL
The constitution is the supreme political agreement of a nation. Therefore, the significance is inalienable. It is primarily a social and political contract guaranteeing fundamental rights, a mode of governance, principles of policies, organizations and a political way of life. It is the people’s general will and the nation’s most sacred agreement. Then, it becomes more consequential in a federation. A federal form of governance always requires constitutional guarantees and protections, as several cultural, social and distinctive political units formulate a collective political coalition to strengthen a shared political life.
Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic according to article one of the constitution. However, it might be a dejure connotation; practically, it is neither a federation nor a republic. It has always been a centrally autocratic country. Pakistan’s constitutional history has depended on defacto powres; thus, it is not independent of non-political forces. However, the constitution of 1973 is a political document marked with federal parliamentary governance. Then, the execution and implementation of the constitution have been a daunting challenge. Even two military regimes spanning twenty years have devalued and subverted it. Moreover, the principal reason is the people need more awareness about the constitution and its significance in political state affairs.
There is always a change. Political awareness has been on the rise in Pakistan lately. People are more aware of their fundamental rights. The people are now more concerned about their political life. Then, there is a growing concurrence that democracy is the best mode of governance. People are more sensitive to their choice to elect governments. They have started believing in the supremacy of the law. There is a change in the thought process of society despite so much negativity around. There are political, economic and security challenges around; however, there is a better understanding of constitutional governance despite the collapse of administration, politics, and governance.
Constitutional governance is the way forward. The constitution of Pakistan provides legislative, judicial, administrative and political domains. The federation and federating units need to abide by the constitutional domains. Then, the constitutional role of the institutions is fundamental for the cause of constitutional democracy in Pakistan. The power of the people is supreme. Their constitutional right to elect a government of their choice is undeniable. Furthermore, the social, political, administrative, and economic organizations should be run according to constitutional competence. The rule of law is directly proportionate to the execution of the constitution in Pakistan. It is a positive trend that people are more aware of constitutional governance and are bent on enforcing the constitution.
