Constitutional Literacy Campaign

We the concerned citizens of Pakistan realizing that the future of Pakistan and its 170 million people depends on continuity of democratic governance embedded in supremacy of the Constitution, consider democratic civic education an important instrument to provide intellectual context and develop necessary skills to actively and effectively participate in this national pursuit.
Mindful of the fact that about half of Pakistan’s population is under twenty-five and not all young people are fortunate to get formal school, college and university education. Those who are lucky to be educated their textbooks by and large militate against democratic ideas. Core concepts like Constitutionalism, federalism and representative democratic institutions are missing in the textbooks taught in the nations’ classrooms.
Acknowledging this deficit, the Education Policy 2009 exhorted that, “Curriculum shall emphasize the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of Pakistan, so that each individual shall develop within himself/herself and the society at large, a civic culture strong enough to withstand any extra constitutional interference which threatens those rights.” Endorsing the Joint Communiqué of 16th Speakers’ Conference (March 3, 2010 Lahore) that suggested changes in educational curriculum to inculcate in the minds of new generation the importance of democracy and to make it aware of the democratic struggle for parliamentary democracy and recalling Article 25 of the Charter of Democracy (2006) that a National Democracy Commission shall be established to promote and develop a democratic culture in the country.
We demand that:
1 Democratic Civic Education shall be made a compulsory part of curriculum and educational activities in the country.
2 The Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of 1973 along with an unbiased account of constitutional and democratic developments in Pakistan shall be included in the textbooks.
3 Extra and co-curricular activities at the national campuses shall privilege themes related to democracy, fundamental rights and Constitutionalism in Pakistan.
4 For general public, the Public Service Broadcasters and independent private media under their public service obligations shall devote a fair amount of time to expand understanding about the Constitution and its relevance as a vibrant contract between the citizens and the State.
5 National Democracy Commission envisaged in the Charter of Democracy shall be established to promote and develop a democratic culture in the country.

We the concerned citizens of Pakistan realizing that the future of Pakistan and its 170 million people depends on continuity of democratic governance embedded in supremacy of the Constitution, consider democratic civic education an important instrument to provide intellectual context and develop necessary skills to actively and effectively participate in this national pursuit.   Mindful of the fact that about half of Pakistan’s population is under twenty-five and not all young people are fortunate to get formal school, college and university education. Those who are lucky to be educated their textbooks by and large militate against democratic ideas. Core concepts like Constitutionalism, federalism and representative democratic institutions are missing in the textbooks taught in the nations’ classrooms. Acknowledging this deficit, the Education Policy 2009 exhorted that, “Curriculum shall emphasize the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of Pakistan, so that each individual shall develop within himself/herself and the society at large, a civic culture strong enough to withstand any extra constitutional interference which threatens those rights.” Endorsing the Joint Communiqué of 16th Speakers’ Conference (March 3, 2010 Lahore) that suggested changes in educational curriculum to inculcate in the minds of new generation the importance of democracy and to make it aware of the democratic struggle for parliamentary democracy and recalling Article 25 of the Charter of Democracy (2006) that a National Democracy Commission shall be established to promote and develop a democratic culture in the country.We demand that:1 Democratic Civic Education shall be made a compulsory part of curriculum and educational activities in the country.2 The Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of 1973 along with an unbiased account of constitutional and democratic developments in Pakistan shall be included in the textbooks.3 Extra and co-curricular activities at the national campuses shall privilege themes related to democracy, fundamental rights and Constitutionalism in Pakistan.4 For general public, the Public Service Broadcasters and independent private media under their public service obligations shall devote a fair amount of time to expand understanding about the Constitution and its relevance as a vibrant contract between the citizens and the State.5 National Democracy Commission envisaged in the Charter of Democracy shall be established to promote and develop a democratic culture in the country.