ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited Bill seeking to give the country a permanent Constitu­tion was introduced in the National Assembly this evening [Feb 2] by the Law Minister, Mr Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, with a solemn assurance to the other parties that all their “const­ructive amendments” will be received by the majority party with a spirit of “accommodation”.

Cheers from all corners of the House marked what Mr Pirzada described as an august day in the history of Pakistan, as, he said, for the first time in 25 years a Bill for a permanent Constitution was being brought before the directly-elected representatives of the people.

However, a solitary voice of “oppose” surprised every one — including the members on the Opposition benches who had returned to the House today after an absence of about a month, when Mr Pirzada moved the motion. The voice had been raised by the expelled PPP member, Mr Ahmad Raza Qasuri, who has now shifted to the Opposition benches; but apparently it was against the expectation of the Opposition members themselves. Asked … to explain … Mr Qasuri said he was not opposed to the Constitution Bill [but] … he did not like certain Articles in the Bill.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023