“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command” — 1984 by George Orwell
PAKISTAN has witnessed military dictators abrogating or suspending the Constitution several times in the past. In fact, Gen Ziaul Haq has been quoted as saying that the Constitution was nothing more than a piece of paper which he could tear up at any time. The late dictator’s remarks were a reflection of the arrogance that comes with power and of a dismissive attitude towards a Constitution that had been adopted unanimously by an elected parliament in 1973. The Constitution was restored with some amendments after the death of Gen Zia in an air crash in 1988.
Gen Pervez Musharraf suspended the 1973 Constitution not once but twice — in 1999 and then again in 2007 though his move did not get legal cover the second time round. He survived in power for some months after his second action.
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