Return to the 1973 Social Contract,” PkMAP Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai Says; Condemns 26th Amendment, Urges Institutional Boundaries

QUETTA:Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman and member of the National Assembly **Mahmood Khan Achakzai** addressed overseas Pakistanis and party supporters in a video message from Quetta on Monday, calling for a national return to the 1973 constitution as a shared “social contract” and criticising recent constitutional changes he said have weakened Pakistan’s institutions. ([Wikipedia][1])

Achakzai — who described Pakistan as a voluntary, multi‑ethnic federation of some **250 million people** — said the country’s political development was stunted by repeated departures from democratic norms and that the 1973 constitution, despite its flaws, represented a broad national consensus that should be restored. He warned that past failures to accept electoral mandates had contributed to the 1971 breakup of the country. ([Dawn][2])

Repeating his long‑standing criticism of what he called executive interference in constitutional affairs, Achakzai urged the repeal of all constitutional amendments made since 1973 **except** the Eighteenth Amendment, and specifically condemned the **26th Amendment** as having “damaged” the constitution. He argued that reversing such changes would make possible a renewed national conversation about governance and rights. ([ConstitutionNet][3])

On civil‑military relations, Achakzai emphasised that **each institution must work strictly within its constitutional remit**. He said the military should perform its professional duties and avoid politics, while politicians must respect institutional roles. He warned against giving extensions or preferential promotions in any institution and called for promotions to follow seniority. ([quettavoice.com][4])

Turning to regional security, Achakzai proposed a **United Nations‑backed regional meeting** of Pakistan and its neighbours — including China, Afghanistan, Iran and India — to agree on non‑interference guarantees and confidence‑building measures, saying the UN should monitor compliance and act against violators. He urged that neighbouring states act as guarantors against cross‑border meddling that fuels instability. ([Dawn][5])

The PkMAP chief also praised the army chief’s recent oath to uphold the constitution, saying that pledge echoed the requirement that the military “respect the constitution and refrain from political activity” — and reiterated that Pakistan’s problems would be best solved when all actors, including politicians and security agencies, stuck to their constitutional roles. ([quettavoice.com][4])

Mahmood Khan Achakzai closed his address by urging reconciliation and mutual forgiveness among political actors, calling for repentance where mistakes were made and a joint effort to steer Pakistan out of what he described as “multi‑faceted crises” through democratic, constitutional means. ([Dawn][2])

**Background:** Mahmood Khan Achakzai is the long‑time chairman of PkMAP and a veteran Pashtun leader. His call to return to the 1973 constitution and his criticism of the 26th Amendment reflect broader opposition concerns about recent constitutional changes and institutional balance in Islamabad. ([Wikipedia][1])