AN APPRAISAL OF POLITICAL CONSENSUS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BY THE 13TH NATION ALASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

Department of History & Pakistan Studies

By: IRAM HASSAN

Supervised By: Mr. Mushtaque Ali Abbasi

Academic Level: MPhil

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Abstract

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned Pakistan as a democratic state. However, since its inception, the democratic system in Pakistan has faced numerous challenges. These challenges include: political discord, political immaturity, and the interference of unconstitutional forces in politics which have often derailed the functioning of the government. Unconstitutional regimes have repeatedly altered the constitutions undermining both the stability of constitutional rule and the perception of democracy in Pakistan. in 2006, political leaders recognized the need to strengthen the democratic system and took a
significant step forward. Prominent political parties including PML (N) and PPP came together to sign the Charter of Democracy. This charter served as a guideline for political leadership encouraging them to rectify unconstitutional challenges to Pakistan‘s legal framework and to collaborate on improving the country‘s political, economic and administrative landscape. As a result of this collective effort, the democratically elected government of the 13th National Assembly following the 2008 General Elections established a constitutional committee with representation from all political parties. This committee was
tasked with making necessary amendments, alterations, deletions, and omissions in the 1973 constitution to uphold the supremacy of the legal document and to strengthen democracy as a whole. The primary objective of this research is to investigate, analyze and address the root causes of political mistrust, the pre-2010 constitutional amendments, unconstitutional interference in the political, administrative and economic systems, and their respective impacts. Additionally, the study assessed the extent to which political consensus for constitutional change has streamlined democratic growth or if Pakistan continues to face democratic challenges. To achieve these objectives, the current study has significantly applied
qualitative method to investigate, examine, and analyze cause and effect relations between the variables encountered throughout study. The qualitative method has been applied during the course of analyzing official reports and existing literature. The research will definitely provide a systematic pattern of analyzing, examining and investigating the political system to not only the future researcher but it may add the new contribution in the existing politicoconstitutional literature available on Pakistan.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.