Maturity and sensibility

After the disqualification of the former prime minister, many analysts presented their opinions. While there was nothing new in most of them, I was deeply saddened to read the views expressed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bilawal claims to be following the democratic credentials of his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, and his late maternal grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but it is obvious that he is, at this time, in fact toeing the ‘official’ line. Whatever his crimes, Nawaz Sharif has the basic right of appeal and review, and he also has the basic right of free speech. No one can deny him these rights that go even beyond our national constitution and are a part of the fundamental human rights approved by the UN.

Bilawal must keep in mind what happened to his elders and to many other democrats of the PPP and the ANP and similar parties. He must understand that tomorrow, he too might be in the same predicament. This is the time for all elected and truly democratic forces and parties to stand together, to protect and uplift parliament which is indeed the sole and sovereign authority, superseding all other institutions and organisations, by virtue of the public mandate. Bilawal should bring his party to the table with the PML-N and all other democratic parties, and arrange a grand national political conference that once and for all determines the exact roles and provenance and spheres of action of different state institutions, including the judiciary and the military. Since the country has now turned 70, we must show maturity and grow up as well.

Ayesha K Sadozai (Peshawar)