The Preamble of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 states as follows:-
“Whereas it is the will of the people of Pakistan to establish an order:-
Wherein the State shall exercise its powers through the chosen representatives of the people…”
The refrain is on the word people and not the provinces.
As such the crucial issues like building a hydroelectric dam is the domain of the people at large and not the provincial assemblies. It is the will of people at large that ought to have decided the issue of KBD and not the provinces which comprise artificial boundaries that could be changed in future while people remain constant as the ultimate deciding factor. Therefore it is of utmost importance that a referendum may be held on the issue of KBD rather than referring it to provincial assemblies that comprise a cacophony of diverse parties subject to their own vested interests. According to Islamic precepts all people have to be consulted on crucial issues and not merely provincial assemblies which have no nexus with deciding vital issues like a mega dam.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
