The Constitution of Pakistan: Deliberating Next 50 Years for a Rule-Based Polity

Addressing as a keynote speaker in an international conference titled ‘The Constitution of Pakistan: Lessons for Next 50 Years’ – which was co-organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, and the Department of Law, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi, at the latter’s premises on October 18-19, 2023 – Ahmed Bilal Soofi, ASC, former minister of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs & Human Rights, maintained that Pakistan’s constitution serves as a finely balanced institution that united four provincial units and all other diverse groups and regions of the country. This consensus, followed by voluntary following, is an achievement. However, new challenges emerged after the 18th amendment, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive and dedicated approach to its enforcement. To address this issue and ensure the continued integrity of the constitution, he stressed that concerted efforts are required to make the 18th amendment work effectively.