KARACHI: On the second day of the Karachi Literature Festival, a panel discussion was held on the constitution and the rule of law, featuring prominent politician and constitutional expert Senator Raza Rabbani.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Rabbani highlighted the importance of revisiting the structure of the Constitution and addressing key questions about Pakistan’s statehood and its evolution since independence.
He pointed out that the 26th Constitutional Amendment is the latest change to the Constitution. “We need to focus on the fundamental question — what is the structure of the Constitution? What is the role of the state of Pakistan, and what has it achieved since its inception?” he questioned.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a liberal democratic state.
“However, over time, Pakistan became a security-focused state,” he said.
Referring to the 1973 Constitution as a significant achievement with broad consensus, he said the Constitution itself was never altered.
The panel concluded with a call for strengthening democratic institutions and restoring the balance of power to ensure civilian supremacy and adherence to the rule of law in Pakistan.
The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2025 opened on Friday with a vibrant inauguration ceremony, marking the beginning of a weekend dedicated to literary excellence, thought-provoking discussions, and cultural enrichment.
The three-day festival is organised by Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP).
With the shining names of literary stalwarts dotting the Saturday and Sunday schedules, KLF promises to be the hub of stimulating conversations, theatre performances, book launches by authors in person, and powerful dialogues exploring literature and society. This wonderful eclectic structure of navigating the literary labyrinths reaffirms KLF’s role as Karachi’s most popular platform for literary and artistic expression.
