Commemorating the 43rd National Constitution Day, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with KAS, organized “Seminar on National Constitution Day.” Honorable Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed was the Guest of Honor for the one-day seminar which was attended by jam packed Auditorium with 165 participants including Members of the Parliament, faculty members and students from ten reputed universities: Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Air University, Bahria University, COMSATS, Preston University, Iqra University, PIDE, FJWU, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, NDU, and CUST as well as media representatives. The seminar began with the National Anthem followed by recitation from Holy Quran. In his Welcome Remarks the Acting Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka highlighted that the event brings together youth and honorable parliamentarians together to highlight and celebrate our consensus Constitution which is a source of unity, mutual tolerance, peace and prosperity among all citizens. 

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed paid rich tribute to the pioneers of the Constitution and said that it “unites the federation of Pakistan on fundamental principles which are commonly agreed upon through a consensus based on thorough consultation of all the provinces and political parties.” He also remembered the founder of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as a constitutionalist and a parliamentarian who spoke up for the rights of the women, youth, and for the rights of the oppressed. Seminar invited panelists included Senator Mushahid Hussain, Senator Saeed Ghani, MNAs Dr Arif Alvi, youngest MNA Ms Shaza Fatimah Khawaja and Mr Muhammad Uzaid Malik.

 MNA Malik Muhammad Uzair Khan underscored the initiatives taken by the government as well as the parliament to create economic opportunities and reach out to the young population of the country. Ms. Shaza Fatima, MNA and General Secretary and Member of Young Parliamentary Forum, YPF, encouraged the youth to learn and understand the Constitution of Pakistan in order to better know their rights and obligations.  She also encouraged students to write to MPs directly or through PIPS and attend such activities at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, that remains Parliament’s own state of the art research and training facility. 

Honorable Member National Assembly, Dr. Arif Alvi, spoke on “Constitution and our National Aspirations.” On a historic note, he mentioned the Ten Commandments of Prophet Moses as the first ever constitution in human history. Furthermore, he pointed towards the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which finds its reflection in the preamble of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Widely quoting from the text of the Constitution Dr. Alvi highlighted the fundamental rights the Constitution guarantees to the citizens of Pakistan. It was followed a highly interactive Q & A session, in which participants raised a number of questions. The Guest of Honor, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed presented souvenirs to the Honorable Parliamentarians and the faculty of participating universities. Acting Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka thanked the participants at the end of the seminar that concluded with united slogan by the audience – Pakistan Zindabad.