Civil society discusses amendment to constitution

Islamabad:A significant discussion was held at the National Press Club, focusing on how political party’s manifestos align with the Civil Society led Charter of Democracy 2.0. The event featured prominent speakers from civil society who emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability, education, and adherence to democratic principles in Pakistan.

Zia ur Rehman, chair of Pakistan Development Alliance , who headed the event, provided crucial perspective regarding the Civil Society Call for 2nd Generation Charter of Democracy, stating, “We are not talking about the Charter of Democracy 2.0 or these reforms for the first time but since July 2022. There should have been a societal discourse, and stakeholders must have been consulted before making any constitutional changes.” He highlighted that the political shape of Pakistan has been flawed by a lack of commitment from political parties to implement the democratic reforms initially promised, stressing the need for renewed engagement and accountability. Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission for Democracy need to be immediately established to address current power imbalance, he demanded.

In 2022, as Pakistan was preparing for general elections, civil society organisations engaged with political parties to remind them of their commitments under the original Charter of Democracy. An analysis revealed that over the past 17 years, political parties had only fulfilled 11 of the 36 commitments outlined in the actual Charter of Democracy. Key achievements included the 18th Amendment, which devolved power to provincial assemblies, and the establishment of national commissions focused on human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and minorities and National Finance Commission Award 2009. The emphasis on education under Article 25-A which mandates free and compulsory education for children, was also highlighted as a crucial area of progress.

The Civil Society Call for Charter of Democracy 2.0 was created when a new generation of political parties and leaders emerged to address contemporary challenges, responding to a deadlock over the original Charter. A collective of 121 civil society organisations came together to develop this updated Charter, aiming to strengthen democratic governance and ensure that the voices of all stakeholders, particularly marginalised communities, are included in the political discourse.

Afzal Butt, president, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Tahir Khalil, senior journalist, Khalid Ameen, Shehzad Azhar, senior journalist, Iftekhar Shahid, senior journalist, and Kashif Rafique, also spoke on the occasion.

As discussions progressed, a consensus emerged that the Charter of Democracy 2.0 serves as a crucial framework for ensuring that political parties fulfill their commitments, promoting inclusivity and accountability in governance. Civil society organisations continue to advocate for these principles to be integrated into political practice for the benefit of Pakistan’s democratic future.