EDITORIAL: The National Assembly has gained universal applause and made the people`s hearts rejoice by giving the country a permanent Constitution. ... The historic occasion marks the end of a tedious journey along a zig-zag course, a journey ... marked by ... frequent troubles. ... The Constitution we have got after a lengthy process ... is not necessarily one which will produce ecstasies of joy all around. ... A constitution is not framed for the delight of the perfectionists.

... In order to possess a reasonable chance of succeeding as the framework of government, a constitution must ... reflect the basic political principles by which a people wish to be governed. ..

Pakistan`s people have indicated their preference ... for a federal polity, a parliamentary cabinet system, appropriate safeguards for fundamental rights and an independent judiciary. The present Constitution ... can broadly be said to recognise those ... preferences. ..

Whatever its limitations, the Constitution has been acclaimed ... as providing a suitable framework for the organisation of our body politic. Now ... our ... energies must be directed towards ensuring that the Constitution proves a serviceable instrument for the realisation of liberty, stability and progress.