There are two possible ways of bringing about a reform in our system

The Memo-randum or prologue to Pakistan’s Consti-tution in no unambiguous terms declares that the ultimate sovereignty in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan lies with Allah the Almighty, and no law in this country can be made that will be in contradiction of or conflict with the Divine injunctions as laid down in AlQuran.
Thus the concept of the supremacy of the Parliament simply on the grounds that the Parliament reflects the will of the majority of the people has absolutely no relevance with Pakistan.
Quite clearly the Dictates of God are of permanent nature. But the will of the people as reflected in the results of an electoral process, continues to vary each time a nation goes to the polls. How can ‘variables’ be granted the kind of sanctity that only ‘constants’ deserve?
The idea of ‘majority is right’ is fundamentally misleading. Only ‘right’ is right. And what is ‘right’ has been clearly defined in the Book of God.
If majority had been right, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) would have had no alternative other than submitting to the will of Makkah’s Qureish oligarchs and their following.
The point I am trying to make here is that Pakistan’s democracy needs revolutionary reforms inorder to stand the test of the fundamental requisite that all governance in this country simply has to be in accordance with the principles laid down in AlQuran.
Meaning thereby that to regard the 1973 constitution as a sacred testament is simply not acceptable. The kind of democracy that can fulfil the fundamental requisites of an Islamic order will have to let the people exercise their right to elect their leader, ruler, or chief through direct vote. Such a leader ruler or chief will have to take an oath on the Holy Book not to violate any of the injunctions of God. His or her failure to honour this oath will disqualify him her from his elected role.
There are two possible ways of bringing about a reform in our system.
Constitutional amendment that requires two-third majority .
Referendum, in which the will of the people will decide directly.
There is a third option too.
Remain always exposed to the threat of intervention.
(This Column was first published on 22-10-2010)