ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that the Constitution will continue to be a guiding document for generations to come and will lead the country on a path of development and progress.

“It is the Constitution that creates a strong link between state and people,” Mr Ashraf said while inaugurating Yadgar-i-Dastoor (Constitution Monument) and Bagh-i-Dastoor in front of Parliament House.

He underscored Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to democracy and steadfast adherence to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Mr Ashraf stated that the monument would continue to remind us about the significance and sanctity of the Constitution.

He further noted that the country’s progress and development are interlinked with adhering to the constitution.

“Yadgar-i-Dastoor and Bagh-i-Dastoor are first of their kind in the constitutional and political history of Pakistan,” the NA speaker said, adding that standing tall at the heart of the nation, the Yadgar-i-Dastoor monument embodies the sanctity of the 1973 Constitution with its towering plaques bearing the Preamble and fundamental rights.

Mr Ashraf said: “The Islamic motif framing the constitution reminds of Article 227, which states that all existing laws shall be brought into conformity with the injunctions of Islam. As the national flag waves high, symbolising a constant reminder of every citizen’s solemn duty to uphold loyalty and obedience to the constitution and the law, a fountain nearby represents the balance of power.

Amidst lush greenery, each tree planted in Bagh-i-Dastoor signifies an article of the constitution, while the parliament, at the centre, echoes its pivotal role in governance,” he added.

Moreover, the NA speaker paid rich tribute to all members of the Advisory Committee who conceived and approved the design of the Constitution Monument, especially Mian Raza Rabbani, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Kamran Murtaza, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Agha Hassan Baloch, Amir Haider Azam Khan, Dr Nafisa Shah, Dr. Mohammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, Ms Wajha Qamar, Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Mohsin Dawar, Asiya Azeem, Ramesh Kumar, former senator Farhatullah Babar and Zafrullah Khan.

The NA speaker also appreciated the special dedication and commitment of NA Secretary General Syed Tahir Hussain, Special Secretary Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Special Secretary (Admin) Ch. Mubarak Ali, Additional Secretary Syed Hasan Murtaza Bukhari, Joint Secretary M.A. Daher and others.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024