Justice(R) Nasir Aslam Zahid who presided over the seminar thought that it would be better if the 1973 constitution was restored to its original shape with, of course, some modifications to suit the present conditions.

Justice(R) Wajihuddin Ahmed, in his paper, suggested that the best way to save time and energy of the nation was to restore the 1973 constitution. He defended the Objectives Resolution passed in March 1949 as the basic document which served as the constitution after the dissolution of the 1962 constitution. It is agreed with some speakers that the Objectives Resolution was responsible for the erosion of democracy and fundamental human rights in subsequent years.

Justice(R) Syed Rasheed A Rizvi was critical of the civilian and military bureaucracy and thought that illusion of the freedom of judiciary should be dispelled. He thought both civil and military bureaucracies, under the sway of Establishment, have been equally responsible for the denial of proper functioning of democratic norms. He said that the PPP’s proposed 18th amendment didn’t incorporate the principle of the autonomy of provinces and it was no different from the approach of the military Establishment. He wanted the restoration of 1973 constitution with all such provisions we should ensure proper democratic functioning.

Senator(R) S. Iqbal Haider thought that Objective Resolution was responsible for promoting religious fanaticism and unless we moved towards a secular constitution having no place for religious fanaticism there was no possibility of social, political and economic development.

Mr. I.A. Rehman, Director HRCP, thought that our constitution didn’t have many basic rights, which constitutions of modern countries had. He thought that the right to work, right to health, and right to proper environment, should be included in all constitution.

Mr. M. B. Naqvi, a senior journalist thought that Pakistan was being singled out as a non-functioning state as it couldn’t pay its bill as its economy was under the IMF regime. He thought that Pakistan was considered a country not having viable economy and this was not possible unless a secular constitution with emphasis on efficient technological development was in place.

Dr. Syed Jaffer, Ahmed a political analyst, formulated the view that there was no need for new consensus as it would open Pandora’s Box. He thought that a parliamentary committee should be formed for incorporating the amendments proposed by politicians, civil society and general public. While Mr. Akmal Waseem, a Lawyer, also pleaded for the secular constitution.

The seminar concluded with the thanks from the Rector, Col(R). Tahir Hussain, and began with the welcome address by Dr. Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Dean Management and Social Sciences. The seminar was well attended and never before such an attentive audience of wide cross section of the society heard speakers with rapt attention on a very serious issue facing the country.