Parliament as custodian of national interests

Head of PPP Media Cell
Pakistan Parliament’s unanimous resolution not to become party in the ongoing Yemen crisis is amazing but not unusual in a functioning democracy. In democracy, erratic decisions are a far-fetched cry because extensive debates and discussions are triggered at all forums on matters of public interest to separate the wheat from the chaff. Media, civil society and think tanks help the lawmakers to guide and build consensus on issues of national importance. Democratic dispensation is the ideal framework to benefit from the collective wisdom because it emphatically rejects the scope of knee-jerk reaction in the decision making process. Transparency and accountability, important components of democratic practices, ensure the circumventing of the unilateral decision by the people in the corridors of power. Pakistan Parliament’s unanimous resolution totally calibrates with the national interests and indeed reflects the aspirations of the people. The sense of the House has prevailed upon those who wanted to jump in the raging fire instead of damping it as their sense of proportion was blurred with the sentiments of indebtedness based on their personal experience. But, national interests cannot be and should not be sacrificed at the altar of gratitude. The Parliament carried the day and proved it as the custodian of the national interests in the real sense of the word. Parliament cannot be wrong and its proceedings are taken seriously for being the voice of the people. People of Pakistan have spoken and no one can override it. It is the manifestation of people’s power and their sense of righteousness.
Now, let us go back to the history when dictator Ziaul Haq obliged his foreign masters to perpetuate his illegitimate rule by pushing the country to take plunge in the war of others. The nation had been paying the horrendous aftermaths since then in terms of extremism, terrorism, and Kalashnikov and drug culture posing existential threat to the country. In 2002, General Musharraf surrendered when US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage called him and exclaimed,” you are friend or foe General”. He submitted immediately without giving a second thought. He was cowed down with one telephone call. Pakistan had been paying heavily in terms of blood and treasure since then due to dictators’ poor judgments. If Pakistan had been a democratic country at those times the elected Parliaments would have never jumped in the wars of other countries. Civilian governments, weak or strong, never engaged in active hostilities with other countries. All wars were fought during dictatorship eras resulting in territorial, diplomatic and political national embarrassments of grotesque proportion. Disintegration of the federation, loss of Siachin, hanging of elected prime minister, Kargil debacle, vanishing of writ in Wazirstan, suspension of the Constitution, packing up of the Supreme Court etc all are mortifying humiliations bequeathed by tyrant rulers who came to power in the middle of night at the barrel of a gun. Their obsession for the fulfillment of personal political ambitions under the guise of ‘supreme national interest’ begged all despicable descriptions. They willfully committed crime against the nation and therefore the Parliament should pass a unanimous resolution censuring them all.
The historical perspective was considered relevant here to highlight the stature of the elected Parliament and its paramount importance with regard to its inherent inclination to keep the national interest supreme even against all odds. Its functioning does not compromise on what is genuinely considered as vital for the country. Parliament’s resolution on Yemen is the perfect embodiment of what has been stated in the preceding lines. It adequately determines the parameters of Pakistan’s role during any eventuality in the context of the looming crisis. It emphasizes the country should not get involved in the internal affairs of the sovereign country. It also underscores the importance of seeking the peaceful settlement of the problem and Pakistan should facilitate pro-actively on this count. The resolution also reaffirms the commitment of Pakistan to ensure territorial integrity and security of Saudi Arabia. It also extended ironclad commitment of the nation in case of Mecca and Medina are in danger the responses of Pakistan would be resolute and no expediency will stop the country to inflict humiliating defeat on the potential aggressor because safety and security of Harmain Sharif is an article of faith of the Pakistani Muslims. The resolution is complete document outlining all the contours of the course of action to be followed in the situation than may unfold in the future. It has also bailed out the government that is heavily indebted to the Saudi Royal family because of the royal treatment meted out to them during exiles. The Saudi government may not press hard for the return favours because they understand the dynamics of democracy. The government has to take into account the public sentiments reflected through the Parliament. It cannot be indifferent to the public opinion being an elected government.
The government on its part should focus to initiate vibrant diplomatic activity to press upon the Security Council of the UN to call upon the parties to agree on ceasefire and also strive for seeking out peaceful settlement on urgent basis. The fire must be controlled sooner than later because it has the potential to embroil the whole region with catastrophic consequences those will not bode well to the region in particular and the world peace in general. The world economy is bound to hit badly because the supply of oil from the region will be disrupted and the economies of the West, Japan, China and India will face the blowback. These big economies heavily depend on the countries of the region to meet their energy requirements. The world economy cannot afford such turmoil in the Middle East and therefore the major international players should realize the gravity of the situation and control it going from bad to worse.
US has taken position taken on the issue despite the delicate stage of nuclear deal with Iran, and with Saudi Arabia it enjoys very special relationship spread over decades. US administration is seemingly taking its time for measured response because it cannot be indifferent to the situation as obtaining with explosive proportion. It is hoped that within next few days some developments will nudge the parties to accept the ceasefire for getting breathing space to iron out differences amicably.
Pakistan on its part intends to engage Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia and others to summon the session of the Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC) in a bid to convince Saudis and Yemen’s warring groups to stop fighting and seek out political settlement of the issue because fighting will have serious ramifications for the Islamic world as a whole. Pakistan is in a unique position and can galvanize necessary support aimed at striving for the peaceful settlement of the issue. Iranian Foreign Minister during his recent visit to Pakistan has also underscored the importance of peaceful settlement of the problem.
For Pakistan’s perspective, it is trying to strike a balance by positioning itself as neutral in the conflict to assuage its neighbouring country Iran. On the other hand, the country has held out unequivocal assurance to Saudi Arabia that the territorial integrity of the Kingdom is of profound importance for the Pakistani nation and will defend it at all cost. The Saudi and Gulf States were hoping that the country would be part of the Gulf States military coalition. Pakistan’s reluctance has irked the Gulf States as is expressed by the UAE with warning that the country will have to face the consequences for its “ambiguous resolution” by the Parliament. It is hoped the Gulf friendly countries will understand the compelling compulsions of Pakistan based on the ground realities. The truth is once war is triggered, its control is lost with inevitable ugly consequences. Such conflicts among Muslim countries have invariably put the clock back.
Pakistan cannot afford to meet the expectations of the Gulf States because its plate is already full and cannot take more. Its security forces are engaged up to neck to fight out the indigenous menace of extremism and terrorism. Violations at the LOC and at the international boundaries at the Eastern boarders warrant no lowering of the guards. At the Western boarders, security forces have launched Zarb-e-Azb to exterminate Taliban who have martyred more than forty thousands Pakistani and thousands of brave soldiers. Insurgency in Balochistan is also keeping a sizeable number of security personnel at their toes.
Pakistan becoming the coalition partner of Gulf States could trigger sectarianism in Pakistan creating sect-based fault lines in the society. The resultant situation would be the worst case scenario for Pakistan.
With all fairness, Pakistan Parliament has given the mandate to the government to deal with the crisis accordingly. Its contents could not be better in the given situation Pakistan is confronted with.
muhammadshaheedi@yahoo.com