Respecting Parliament, respecting nation

In media talks and speeches at various forums in the past, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, had repeatedly stated that the PTI had strengthened the PML-N government largely attributed to its leadership’s gross miscalculation and the wrong reading of the emerging political situation preceded by disproportionate responses at wrong times. Resultantly, the PML-N government continued to remain in the comfort zone despite mega failures of the government in various walks of life starting from its fiasco to the implementation of the National Action Plan at the top of the list of its failures. The PTI top leadership latest cursing of Parliament in Lahore had undoubtedly proved as living up to its repute because the criticism of Parliament diverted the whole attention of the media and the public away from the protest movement against the government.

The protest movement of the opposition found little space than expected in the public discourses that too in negative light accruing in political windfall for the government of the PML-N. Resultantly, the mortifying of Parliament took the thunder out of the protest organised amidst heated environment of seeking justice for Model Town victims. The government seemingly did not feel so much threatened anymore. The denunciation of Parliament by Sheikh Rashid followed by the PTI Chairman, Imran Khan, and his sticking to the vituperation had further weakened their cause, may be for the time being. Opposition losses are the government’s gains in politics. It is truer in this case due to its dire need to the government at this point of time. The PML-N leadership must be jumping out of skin with glee as feelings of vulnerability were earlier swaying across the leadership’s rank and file.

Parliament is mother of all institutions in a parliamentary system of government. It is undoubtedly repository of people’s aspirations, dreams and hopes. Its degradation by anyone is like doing the same to near and dear ones. It is symbol of nation’s grandeur, dignity and unity. It represents the people of the country and, therefore, deserves the highest esteem from all, in general, and the parliamentarians in particular for being an integral part of it though for certain period of time. Its undermining and belittling is unforgiveable if not contemptible or condemnable.

The public figures of even ordinary prudence may not contemplate to cast aspersions on the parliamentary forum not to speak of the politicians of national stature. The offenders may meet the wrath of the public when the time comes. Those who treat their bellicosity as virtue by their own standards may meet the befitting retribution from the electorates sooner than later. People may take the lenient view if the wrongdoers apologise by projecting the senseless fumbling as slip of the tongue. But those who insist on to their profanity as an embodiment of righteousness may be doomed to be sent packing to the oblivion by the people to suffer curdling torture of redundancy for the times unending. The lashes of tongue inflict lasting pain, and, therefore, the society may be saved from their unguarded and misguided flips flops.

The entire media in their news and views has abhorred the cursing of Parliament by the PTI chief and his cohorts, including by his hobnob in their speeches in the public rally held in Lahore on January 17, 2018, organized to press the government to provide justice to the victims of Model Town victims. The most shocking aspect of this is that instead of demonstrating sense of compunction on the exceedingly irresponsible and unparliamentarily utterance against Parliament went on to repeating the same with poignant tone the following day in a hurriedly held press conference. The insistence reflects nothing but the mindset that is meant, according to them, to deliver unblemished wisdom, notwithstanding, its total incompatibility with the democratic ethos and practices. The traits of democratic values and unequivocal commitment to these are very important in the day-to-day political life. The national leaders are required to calibrate their politics and perspective keeping in view the day- to-day politics without chipping away from the fundamental of the constitution. Pragmatism, compromises and art of possible are essential attributes of political leaders of substance. Those who refuse to get along with the fast changing political dynamics may end up finding them navigating in unchartered waters wrought with dangers enough to force them to lose the sight of the destination.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took strong exception to the tirade and rejected the criticism of Parliament reiterating that his party would never endorse such utterances against Parliament. Opposition Leader Syed Khurshid Shah, in his speech at the floor of the House, took the critics of Parliament to task and was quite rightly vocal in his advocacy of the indispensability of Parliament and its landmark achievements for the nation and the country. He superbly represented the sentiments of the nation in his speech criticising the PTI chief and others for their pernicious rebuke unleashed on Parliament. He added, Parliament offered enviable guarantee for the Federation of Pakistan and for the democracy. The country would overcome the ups and downs and indeed dire challenges facing now with the support of the people channeled through Parliament. Parliament is the greatest stabiliser and equaliser though the PTI leadership does not understand its worth at present, sadly.

The Opposition Leader, in his speech, was outstanding in offering rich tributes to Parliament because of its epoch making contributions to make the country as one of the respectable nation in the comity of the nations. The unanimous Constitution of 1973 entitled the people of the country of fundamental rights while making the apex court as the custodian. The leaders of Parliament made the country a nuclear power with the state of the art missile technology. No enemy country can cast an evil eye on Pakistan with the intention of unleashing aggression. Parliament granted the federating units provincial autonomy through 18th amendment, including financial autonomy through 7th National Finance Award during the PPP government led by Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. The progress of national development would continue on sustainable basis only under the patronage of Parliament. Its underrating is like the damaging the process of national development contrary to the dreams of the people.

The critics of Parliament may ponder over for a moment as what the dictators and their proxies had done to this country. The first dictator, General Ayub Khan, abrogated the 1956 Constitution thus eroded the basis of national unity triggering political and economic alienation of the East Pakistani leading to the emergence of Bangladesh. His sham Constitution of 1962 was framed by him grossly devoid of the aspirations of the people. General Ziaul Haq imposed martial law in the country, and Pakistan was pushed in the Afghan inferno and still paying heavily both in blood and treasure. India occupied Siachen during his watch. General Musharraf acted against Parliament, and the results were utter mess of appalling proportion. He stupidly dared to disband the apex court of the country and incarcerated the honourable judges. He inflicted Kargil embarrassment on the country tarnishing the image of the country at the international level branding his institution in very bad light. On the contrary, the country suffered no territorial loss at all, even the slightest one, during the civilian rules. Gwadar was added in the landmass of the country by the civilian prime minister.

The laws passed by Parliament undoubtedly come under intense scrutiny by the opposition parties, media and the general public, but mauling of Parliament itself by politicians of national stature is indeed deplorable if not condemnable. The recent bill, Elections Reforms Bill, 2017, passed by Parliament qualifying the disqualified prime minister to hold the party position unleashed cascade of intense criticism in the media and among the politicians, including the PTI leadership in the forefront, was considered as normal in a democratic dispensation. However, cursing Parliament as why it passed such a law only lent credence to the comments they wanted democracy and Parliament of their own standards. This alacrity is dangerous and, therefore, may be unacceptable to the people. This tendency seems to give justification to the apologists of coming to power through hook or crook caring less to the legitimacy of the means. The Co-Chairman Asef Ali Zardari also strongly disapproved the tirade of Parliament. It’s being the pillar of democracy and its continuity deserves unstinted reverence from all and sundry while public figures are expected to hold its flag flying high.

Lively debates on Laws/Bills are rather appreciated so essential for the refinement of the legislative process. Such quality debates are also essential for the political education of the people besides helping in making the laws acceptable to the largest number of stakeholders in the best interest of the country and the people. Parliaments devoid of such debates surely reflect their non- representative character and indeed an extension of the executive arm of the government like in during the periods of military dictatorship, Majlis-i- Shoora of General Ziaul Haq. Such sham Parliaments are no more than the rubber stamp of the Dictator.

muhammadshaheedi@yahoo.com