ISLAMABAD: The sanctity of the Constitution demanded that it should not only be acted upon in letter and spirit and jealously safeguarded but also treasonous elements should be punished who had abrogated and subverted this foundational document of the state, the basic social contract between the state and citizen and the glue that binds its federating units.
In a statement, former president Asif Ali Zardari said this in a message on the eve of the Constitution Day.
“It is a national disgrace that a dictator abrogated the Constitution in 1977 later ridiculed it as ‘a mere 15-page document’ that he boasted could be torn at will,” he said.
“Tearing the Constitution is tearing the soul of the nation. Ridiculing it is ridiculing the people. Those who tear and ridicule the Constitution are the traitors of the nation. Dictators and usurpers must be punished; they will be in the fullness of time,” he said.
The former president also commended the Senate for taking the lead in observing April 10 as the Constitution Day.
It is a timely initiative that is needed to highlight the importance of jealously safeguarding the Constitution and relentlessly pursuing those who have subverted it. The Senate was the first elected House which unanimously called for a treason trial of a dictator. It is natural that it should have taken this lead in commemorating this day.
Congratulating the democratic parties and people, the former president expressed the hope that the celebrations today would enhance the awareness of the people of Pakistan to the importance of safeguarding the Constitution.
