Slapped

The recent incident where PTI spokesman Naeemul Haq slapped a PML-N federal minister Daniyal Aziz in a live telecast does not bode well for the future of parliamentary democracy, where tolerance for dissent is one of the prerequisites for any individual aspiring to hold public office. Naeemul Haq has previously displayed similar rash behavior on another talk show while arguing with a PPP representative.

Calling political opponents a thief has been the practice of not only the PTI, but also all other political parties. Democracy without tolerance for dissent and criticism is a sham. The electoral mandate is a dignified universally-accepted modus operandi to give the party that is in the majority the role of the custodian of the constitution and national exchequer. The opposition has an equally important function of check and balance, ensuring that there is no abuse of power and violation of prescribed constitutional limits within which the elected government has to function.

Gull Zaman

Peshawar