Dawn Article – Life of the Constitution

Summary

The current dominant oppositional force, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has gained considerable popular support, particularly among those favoring free and fair elections and less military involvement in politics. However, PTI has shown a lack of commitment to the 1973 Constitution. In the past, the party has pushed for more centralization, changes to federal financing, technocratic governance, and even a presidential system. Their latest manifesto suggested direct elections for the Prime Minister, which could undermine the parliamentary system. The future could unfold in two ways: PTI could choose to accept and adapt to the federal parliamentary framework of the 1973 Constitution, or, if they regain power, they might establish a new constitutional framework that aligns with their political ideology. If this occurs, the other political parties will likely protest but will have little credibility since they have already compromised the constitutional foundations they once championed. 

Notes:

• Indifference to the Constitution: The PTI’s approach reveals a tendency to overlook the 1973 Constitution, which forms the basis of Pakistan’s political framework. This raises concerns about their commitment to democratic principles.
• Proposed Changes by PTI: The party’s advocacy for centralization and technocratic governance could lead to significant changes in Pakistan’s political structure, affecting the balance of power.
• Future Directions: The potential outcomes for the PTI could either be a shift toward embracing the existing constitutional framework or an attempt to reshape the political system entirely based on their popularity.
• Political Dynamics: Should PTI seek to establish a new constitutional order, it may provoke a strong reaction from other political parties, though their prior actions may weaken their position.

Notes for Beginners with Examples:

• Oppositional Force: An oppositional force is a group or party that opposes the current government. For example, the PTI opposes the ruling party and seeks to bring changes.
• Legitimacy: This term means being accepted as right or proper. PTI has gained legitimacy because many people support its ideas.
• Interference: When someone interferes, they get involved in a situation where they might not be needed. For example, military interference in politics can disrupt democratic processes.
• Centralization: Centralization means concentrating power in one place. If PTI wants to centralize power, it would mean giving more authority to a single leader rather than spreading it among different regions.

Syllabus Relevancy:

This article is relevant to the CSS/PMS syllabus in the following areas:

1. Political Science:

   – Understanding different political systems and the implications of proposed changes to governance structures.

2. Current Affairs:

   – Analyzing the role of PTI in Pakistan’s political landscape and its potential impact on democratic processes.

3. Constitutional Law:

   – Discussing the importance of the 1973 Constitution and its role in maintaining checks and balances within the government.

4. International Relations:

   – Insights into how internal political dynamics can affect a country’s foreign policy and stability.

خلاصہ

موجودہ غالب مخالف قوت، پاکستان تحریک انصاف (پی ٹی آئی)، نے خاصی عوامی حمایت حاصل کی ہے، خاص طور پر ان لوگوں میں جو آزاد اور منصفانہ انتخابات اور سیاست میں فوجی مداخلت کی کمی کے حق میں ہیں۔ تاہم، پی ٹی آئی نے 1973 کے آئین کے بارے میں اپنی عدم وابستگی ظاہر کی ہے۔ ماضی میں، پارٹی نے مزید مرکزیت، وفاقی مالیات میں تبدیلی، تکنیکی حکومت، اور یہاں تک کہ صدارتی نظام کی وکالت کی ہے۔ ان کے آخری منشور میں وزیراعظم کے لیے براہ راست انتخابات کا تجویز پیش کیا گیا ہے، جو پارلیمانی نظام کو متاثر کر سکتا ہے۔ مستقبل دو طریقوں سے آگے بڑھ سکتا ہے: پی ٹی آئی یہ فیصلہ کر سکتی ہے کہ وہ 1973 کے آئین کے وفاقی پارلیمانی ڈھانچے کو قبول کرے اور اس کے اصولوں کے مطابق ڈھالے، یا اگر وہ دوبارہ اقتدار میں آتی ہے تو وہ ایک نیا آئینی ڈھانچہ قائم کر سکتی ہے جو ان کی سیاسی نظریات کے مطابق ہو۔ اگر ایسا ہوتا ہے، تو دیگر سیاسی جماعتیں ممکنہ طور پر احتجاج کریں گی لیکن ان کی ساکھ کمزور ہو جائے گی کیونکہ انہوں نے پہلے ہی ان آئینی بنیادوں کو کمزور کیا ہے جن کی وہ پہلے وکالت کرتے تھے

Difficult Words with Meanings, Synonyms, and Antonyms