On Tuesday, 5^th August, 2025, Mr. Shahid Hamid, delivered a lecture on “Constitutional Framework Governing Pakistan” for the participants of the 38^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore.

Mr. Hamid discussed the living nature of the constitution that changes with the change in economic and social conditions of the country. He explained the importance of the Objective Resolution of 1949 as a preamble of the constitution. He talked about the structure of the federal and provincial governments, and also discussed the roles of and interaction among different pillars of the State, including the legislature, judiciary and executive.

Mr. Hamid discussed, in detail, the constitutional mandate and role of the superior judiciary and the challenges it faces today. He said the Suo Moto powers of the Judiciary have produced unintended consequences for the government. However, in some cases related to environmental issues and bonded labor, it produced positive results. He said that the Superior Judiciary is not part of the State, and it considers itself a protector of the constitution and fundamental rights.

While discussing the role of the legislature, he noted that the Parliament is not fully sovereign in law-making; judicial oversight limits the Parliamentary supremacy. Furthermore, the legislature’s role is not limited only to making laws, but it also exercises supervisory control over the executive. He also discussed the role of various constitutional and executive bodies. Discussing major constitutional issues, Mr. Hamid expounded on Article 148 of the constitution and the 18^th Amendment.

The lecture was followed by an extensive Q&A session.