Rule of law, protection of fundamental rights vital for country’s progress: PA speaker

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jul, 2026) Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, public accountability and protection of citizens’ fundamental rights were essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring Pakistan’s sustainable progress.

He was addressing a seminar titled “The Formation, History, Law and Public Consciousness of Vehari,” organised by the District Bar Association Vehari as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of District Vehari, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

The speaker said the Constitution empowered the people to hold their elected representatives accountable for their performance during their five-year mandate.

The seminar was attended by Provincial Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, members of the Punjab Assembly, former Federal minister Aitzaz Ahsan, representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council and Punjab Bar Council, senior lawyers, civil society members and government officials.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan congratulated the District Bar Association Vehari on completing 50 years of its establishment and appreciated the legal fraternity’s contribution to strengthening constitutional governance, upholding the rule of law and promoting public awareness.

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He said the Constitution envisaged that state authority should be exercised through the elected representatives of the people, describing it as the true spirit of democratic governance. He added that development was not limited to roads, buildings and hospitals but also included ensuring citizens’ constitutional, political and social rights, including access to justice, quality healthcare, a clean environment, dignity and an improved standard of living.

The speaker said all state institutions must perform their responsibilities within the constitutional framework while remaining committed to public service.

Referring to the provincial government’s development initiatives, he said the “Suthra Punjab” programme launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had laid a strong foundation for improving sanitation in rural and urban areas. He said effective measures were being taken across Punjab to improve sanitation, sewerage systems, clean drinking water supply and other civic facilities, adding that such initiatives were also progressing rapidly in Vehari.

He expressed the hope that the legal fraternity would continue to play its vital role in safeguarding the Constitution, democracy, justice and the fundamental rights of the people.