Sanctity of parliament

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has made an important and timely appeal for restoring the sanctity of parliament in his recent address to the National Assembly. His remarks come at a critical moment, as Pakistan’s political climate has been deteriorating due to increasing polarization and hostility between rival parties. In this context, the PPP chairman has invited political parties to unite for a ‘New Democratic Charter’. Bilawal did not spare criticizing the recent arrests of PTI lawmakers after their September 8 rally, calling them echoes of the previous government, led by Imran Khan, which often targeted its political opponents. The PPP chairman’s warning may be simple but history shows how true it stands: today it may be the PTI, but tomorrow it could be another party. The vicious cycle of political victimization, if allowed to continue, will render politics in Pakistan a mere spectacle, devoid of substance and credibility.

Parliament is supposed to be the highest platform for debate on issues that matter to the public. It exists to facilitate legislation that serves the people, to foster debate, and to hold the government accountable. Instead, it has increasingly become a battleground for personal insults and vendettas. When parliamentarians spend their time trading insults rather than addressing public concerns, they betray the very people they claim to represent. As Bilawal has rightly noted, the real victims of this bitter hostility are the people of Pakistan and the democratic system itself. If parliament is to regain its dignity, it is imperative that parliamentarians begin to treat each other with respect and maintain a working relationship when it comes to their duties. Legislative business must be debated thoroughly, not bulldozed through without discussion. Genuine grievances can be aired, but personal attacks and name-calling should have no place in the halls of parliament. When the conduct of lawmakers deteriorates, public confidence in the system erodes, and space opens up for undemocratic forces to step in and exploit the situation.

The idea of a ‘New Democratic Charter’ may not be novel but it is very timely – especially given the past week in Pakistani politics. The fact all our political stakeholders need to learn is that political rivalries are natural, especially during election campaigns – but once inside parliament, the focus should shift to governing for the public good. Previous attempts, like the Charter of Democracy and the Charter of Economy, offered by the PPP and PML-N to the PTI during Imran Khan’s tenure, were dismissed by the PTI. This was a missed opportunity to create a framework for constructive engagement and mutual respect in the political arena. Now, with the country more polarized than ever, it is time for the PTI and other political parties to reconsider such offers. Why can’t parliamentarians establish their own red lines – limits on what can and cannot be said or done within parliament? This lack of unity and discipline among parliamentarians not only undermines parliament’s authority but also emboldens undemocratic forces. Is it not time – finally – that our political leaders put aside their differences? The challenges facing the country are too great to be addressed in a fractured, dysfunctional political environment. Pakistan’s political class is not only failing itself but also jeopardizing the future of the country’s democracy.