PANZ Constitutional ammendments proposed in AGM 2006

Proposed Constitutional Amendments in AGM 2006

 

In recently held Annual General Meeting of Pakistan Association of New Zealand, certain constitutional amendments

were presented and accepted by the house. As lot of queries have come up since then about these proposed changes. A summary

is provided here for community reference

Constitution of PANZ also went under addition/deletion changes process in Annual General Meeting. Former PANZ President

Shahid Azad started by suggesting the following additions/alterations

1-He said that objectives of PANZ cover most of the requirements but current circumstances call for an important addition of

better understanding and interaction with New Zealand society in general. He suggested to add the following clause in

objectives of Pakistan Association of New Zealand that would be placed as clause 2-o in the constitution

2-o.To suggest/plan ways and means for better interaction as well integration of Pakistan community with New Zealand society.

The clause was unanimously accepted by the house.

2-He suggested that current names assigned to the respective bodies(Executive and General Committee) are not in line with the

meaning of the words, and nature of the jobs assigned to these committees. He said that General Committee consisting of President,

VP, Gen Sex, Joint Sec and Treasurer does day to day handling and hence should be named as Executives(as it happens every

where in the world).The current executive committee

is basically a forum for check and balance or monitoring. They should have a separate name. A lively debate went on this topic.

The house endorsed the suggestion of changing the name of General Committee into Executive Council while the name for the

other committee (previously Executive Committee) will be announced after the consultation of three Executive Members as well

as suggestion from public. This clause when finalized would be placed in clause 4 and all other relevant places in the

constitution.

3-He also suggested to add a portfolio of spokesperson in already existing five posts of General Committee for the reason

that organization needs someone to deal with media-outlets more effectively as issues of sensitive nature keep coming up

at regular intervals of time. He also suggested that the proposed person should be highly efficient in accent, have

comprehension and grasp on issues in light of PANZ cabinet decisions. The suggestion was discussed thoroughly and it was

decided that for remaining period of current PANZ, cabinet will select its own spokesperson while from next election the post

will be a part of already existing portfolios that would become 6 instead of 5.Election commission would specially advise

the contesting panels to follow the required traits for spokesperson. The clause when finalized would be placed at 4a

and other relevant places in the constitution.

4-He also suggested making changes in power distribution of the two respective bodies so that it becomes more balanced. He

said that current constitution was circumstantial and is product of intra-power struggle of a particular time. It needs to

be rectified. He suggested that while General Committee(present) is fully answerable to the Executive body(present) and can be

Dissolved if it doesn’t function properly, there is no provision in the constitution for accountability of Executive Committee.

He said that there can be circumstances when Executive Committee may overlook its responsibilities, so there should be an

Accountability mechanism within constitution to deal with such situation. He suggested that people should have power to do

accountability and they might call a Special General Meeting with 2/3rd signatures of PANZ members as pre-requisite of

convening any such meeting. The house discussed in detail the various other proposals. Few suggested to add Executive Committee

members number from 3to 5 and give them powers according to the number of votes. That would set things right if Executives

Committee is not functioning properly, they suggested. Majority of the house disagreed to this later proposal. It was decided to

continue the debate until a solution is reached.

5- Ata Qureshi who had early withdrawn two of his three proposals, suggested that Long Term Business Visa holders should have right to

contest elections as they are back-bone of PANZ on financial side. This initiated another long discussion involving student

rights

to be a part of contesting panels as well. Majority of the house accepted the amendment with the condition that Contesting panels and

Election Commission should make sure that the relevant contestants have two years Work Visa at least. This clause would be

placed  on relevant places both in PANZ constitution as well as in Election Rules formulated by Election Commission at the

time of election, duly executed by Executive Committee.

 

IMTIAZ KHAN

G.S

PAKISTAAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND