Constitution in government is like the bones in the body. As bones give support, strength , and movement
to the body just like that constitution helps to run the government.Without constitution there would be
no law . Jungle law will become the order of the day . Every developed and educated countries have their
constitutions . Pakistan have three constitutions first on 1956 by Ch. Mohammad Ali, Second on 1962 by
President Ayub and third one on 1973 by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Suspension of constitution would
tantamount to high treason like Pervez Musharraf case.
Amendment is a change, that might be in the form of adding , removing or modifying the piece of
legislation. There are almost 25 amendment in 1973 Constitution. There is a proper procedure for passing
amendment . According to article 239, First it should be passed from National assembly with 2/3 majority.
Then it should passed from Senate with 2/3 majority and in the last there should be signature of President
of Pakistan.
The 18th amendment of Constitution of Pakistan was passed by PPP under President Asif Zardari. On April
8, 2010 it was passed from National assembly with 292 votes out of 342 ,later from Senate with 90 votes
out of 100 on April 15, 2010. And in the last President signature this amendment on April 19, 2010 then it
got implemented . Raza Rabbani , with 26 members and with 15 political parties representative was the
head of Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms. They had 77 meetings and they work for
400 hours .As a result 69, out of 280 articles of 1973 were amended,20 were substituted, 7 were inserted,
and 4 were deleted. Almost 100 articles got changed.Raza Rabbani said “ It is the most comprehensive
reconstructing the federal and provincial administration since 1947”.
The main aim of this amendment was that it removed the power of President to dissolve the parliament
unilaterally, turning Pakistan from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary.This amendment actually cut
the wings of President .Now President would be a ceremonial head of the government while PM had all
powers.
The history of this, giving all power to President was started by the General Zia. During his reign , there
was article 58 2b in which it was stated that President had the power to dissolved assemblies. This was
the 8th amendment of 1973. Then according to 13th amendment, it was abolished by Nawaz Sharif ‘s
second tenure. It was again reconstituted in 17th amendment by General Musharraf.Then in the last again
PPP under Asif Zardari gave 18th amendment in constitution saying all powers transferred from president
to parliaments. Why he himself as a president gave all power to parliament? There might be 3 reasons