As the National Assembly observed the Golden Jubilee Convention of the 1973 Constitution, social media users questioned why senior politician Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who was among the pioneers of the Constitution, was not given an opportunity to address the session.
Senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah’s son Asad Ali Shah also took to Twitter and said that his father was among those who framed the 1973 constitution.
“As a signatory & member of the committee that drafted the constitution, he was invited to participate, but ironically not given the opportunity to speak & narrate the story,” he added.
1/ My father, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the only person alive today from those who framed 1973 constitution.
As a signatory & member of committee that drafted the constitution, he was invited to participate, but ironically not given the opportunity to speak & narrate the story
— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
2/ Not many people realise the importance of passage of 1973 constitution by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto & his team through consensus of all parties.
This can only be appreciated from a historical perspective, as even the party which created 🇵🇰 could not make the constitution.
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— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
3/ The first Constituent Assembly could not make the constitution during its life until its controversial dissolution in 1954. The second Constituent Assembly, which made 1956 constitution, was created by the Order of Governor General of May 1955 and not elected by people
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— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
4/ Therefore, 1956 constitution was not a legitimate, as it was not made by representatives elected by people of Pakistan.
1962 constitution was made by General Ayub Khan for his personal rule.
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— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
5/ It was in the above background that the making of 1973 constitution, with consensus of all parties, needs to be seen.
Clearly, it was no less than a miracle to get consensus of opposition who were sworn enemies of Bhutto.
6/ A great lesson to be learned by political leaders of today from how, on matter of national importance, all parties came together to make a consensus constitution & sagacious leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
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— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
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— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
7/ Can our current leader ponder & learn from leadership of Mr. Bhutto and other leaders of 70s, especially how they achieved consensus on the most fundamental document, the constitution of Pakistan, despite severe differences in their views and ideologies?
7/7
— Asad Ali Shah (@Asad_Ashah) April 11, 2023
Another social media user also regretted that the senior PPP leader was not acknowledged.
Former CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah who attended Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Constitution was not given the opportunity to address the ceremony at National Assembly. He’s the only person left who signed the 73 Constitution. Shah Sahab deserved acknowledgment in the occasion, sadly,… pic.twitter.com/2csbERLgma
— Fawad Zaidi (@fawadppp) April 11, 2023
“The only surviving framer of the Constitution should have been allowed to narrate circumstances and efforts that ultimately shaped the final draft of the 1973 Constitution,” another social media user said.
The only surviving framer of the Constitution should have been allowed to narrate circumstances and efforts that ultimately shaped the final draft of the 1973 Constitution. https://t.co/PsTA0D82Cr
— Nazeer Ahmed Arijo (@NazeerArijo) April 11, 2023
