JUDICIAL activism may have a negative effect on the minority provinces’ faith in the federation. This means serious rethinking is required for the solidarity and unity of the federation. Our constitutional history demands that wisdom and sincerity of purpose should not be thrown to the winds.

Although we generally claim that 1973 Constitution was unanimously passed, if memory serves me right, two members of the National Assembly had abstained, including Noor Mohammed Hashmi from Rahim Yar Khan because at the time of creating One Unit, a pledge had been made with Bahawalpur state that if and when One Unit was dissolved, the original status of the state would be restored.

As a student of history and politics, I salute the sagacity of the Legislative Assembly, which felt the early currents of polarisation and got the Objectives Resolution passed in 1954. In today’s situation, one way out for parliament is to consider invoking the emergency clause provided in the Constitution to save the unity of the federation.

There is no debate about the power of parliament to amend the Constitution and the remedial platform for any violation will not be judiciary, but the people of Pakistan who would express their will at the general elections by choosing their representatives.

Confusion is getting more confounded today. It is imperative to build the future political order brick by brick, and in doing so the legislature has to show maturity and honesty in protecting the safety and security of the nation and the country.

Ali Ashraf Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2023