Postponement of Bye Elections
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The News International, Pakistan dated Thursday, October 01, 2009 writes in its editorial,
The LHC has called the attorney general and chief election commissioner to appear before it in a case involving the Punjab government's petition to stay by-polls to four National and provincial assembly seats. The court also declined to stay the polls, scheduled for November 7 by the CEC, holding that the Election Commission was under no obligation to consult a provincial government when setting dates for polls.
If elections can be held in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the law and order situation is far more worse than in Pakistan, it's not understandable as to why these can't be held in Pakistan, and, particularly, in Punjab where the situation is much better than the other provinces. Requesting for postponement of elections is a clear admission on part of PML(N) led Punjab government that they have failed to restore the law and order situation. What if after another three and a half year PPP led federal government takes the same stance to postpone the next general elections?
Labels: Democracy, Judiciary, PML(N), Politics, PPP
posted @ 5:28 PM,
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Lion of PML(N)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
PML(N)has decided to take good care of its electoral symbol which is lion. It has been reported in one of the TV channels that Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif of PML(N)has ordered to arrange low temperature environments for the lion imported by the zoo authorities from Siberia. The project is going to cost Rs. 2.2 million. This money can surely be better used else where for the welfare of the poor in Punjab.
The first question is as to why such an animal was imported whom we could not look after within our meager resources. The second question is as to why more money should be extravagantly spent to sustain an animal who needs nothing of the sort back in Siberia. Yet another question is to identify other such like ventures where the money being spent is not worth its price. Having narrated the story accompanied by live pictures of the lion, the TV channel showed the interviews of half a dozen from amongst the masses. None of them supported the project and in stead criticized the government for wasting the money which can be spent to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.
The first question is as to why such an animal was imported whom we could not look after within our meager resources. The second question is as to why more money should be extravagantly spent to sustain an animal who needs nothing of the sort back in Siberia. Yet another question is to identify other such like ventures where the money being spent is not worth its price. Having narrated the story accompanied by live pictures of the lion, the TV channel showed the interviews of half a dozen from amongst the masses. None of them supported the project and in stead criticized the government for wasting the money which can be spent to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.
Labels: Governance, PML(N), Politics, Poverty
posted @ 12:57 PM,
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MPA Shumaila Rana asked to resign
Thursday, July 16, 2009
According to The News International, Pakistan, Thursday, July 16, 2009
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League has demanded resignation from its MPA Shumaila Rana due to her involvement in a theft case. An investigation team of the PML-N has urged Shumaila Rana to tender her resignation, as her scam has raised questions regarding the party’s credibility before the general public.Shumaila Rana has been accused of stealing the credit card of another woman at a function and misusing the same to buy jewelry worth thousands of rupees. GEO TV has shown the footage of the event which leave no doubt about the involvement of the worthy MPA in the case. Resignation of the MPA is not enough. She must be prosecuted like any ordinary citizen would have been and exemplary punishment be given. With PML(N)ruling Punjab, the prosecution of the worthy MPA should not be a big deal. What Shumaila Rana may have done in the past more in her capacity as MPA should also be looked into. Selecting and nominating such like persons as MPAs puts a question mark on the judgement of the PML(N) top leadership and the system, if any, through which party nominations take place. Such is the state of our leadership whom we have elected.
The PML-N investigation team has affirmed that if she was innocent, then she has to face the media to prove her innocence.
Labels: Leadership, Legislators, Parliamentarians, PML(N), Shumaila Rana
posted @ 8:43 AM,
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Loyalty Vs Misconduct
Friday, July 3, 2009
According to Daily Times dated July 02, 2009, Speaker of Punjab Assembly has suspended the entrance of Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Provincial Minister of Jails for a period of eight days due to his misconduct, rowdy behaviour and being insolent and disrespectful fellow lady MPA a couple of days earlier.
Whereas the pandemonium which took place in the provincial assembly (and was witnessed by the entire nation on the TV channels) is a matter of shame and concern for our worthy parliamentarians and the entire nation, it is important to note that the worthy minister has not shown any regrets on this happening and has in stead stated that he would not apologize for his misconduct. He maintains that he loves his leadership, Sharif brothers of PML (N), and can't hear anything against them. Loyalty to one's leadership is more important to him even if it has to be displayed through misconduct. There has been no response to this from the worthy Sharif brothers or the top leadership of PML (N) who should have corrected the minister. This shows the mindset of our worthy leaders of the top and second highest echelon. Isn't t a matter of pity?
Whereas the pandemonium which took place in the provincial assembly (and was witnessed by the entire nation on the TV channels) is a matter of shame and concern for our worthy parliamentarians and the entire nation, it is important to note that the worthy minister has not shown any regrets on this happening and has in stead stated that he would not apologize for his misconduct. He maintains that he loves his leadership, Sharif brothers of PML (N), and can't hear anything against them. Loyalty to one's leadership is more important to him even if it has to be displayed through misconduct. There has been no response to this from the worthy Sharif brothers or the top leadership of PML (N) who should have corrected the minister. This shows the mindset of our worthy leaders of the top and second highest echelon. Isn't t a matter of pity?
Labels: Leadership, Legislators, Moral Values, Parliament, PML(N)
posted @ 9:08 PM,
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Parliamentarians' Perception of Punctuality
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Law Minister stated in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, “ONLY ‘baboos’ (government officials) and not Assembly members are required to be punctual.” Not a single member of the treasury benches was present in the house at 9am, the time of commencement of the session. Further surprising is the cooperation rendered by the opposition members who opted not to seek adjournment. The session began nearly two hours late to discuss the 2009-10 budget.
Government servants and the staff in the private sector are harshly punished, at times, to the extent of losing one's job for being late. The degree of importance our elected representatives give to the representation bestowed upon them is self evident. Such an iresponsible statement about punctuality coming from a person no less than the Law Minister's speaks of a different mindset which our elected representitives have. They consider themselves to be superior human beings and above law. Yet, we, the masses have high hopes on them to alleviate our sufferings.
Government servants and the staff in the private sector are harshly punished, at times, to the extent of losing one's job for being late. The degree of importance our elected representatives give to the representation bestowed upon them is self evident. Such an iresponsible statement about punctuality coming from a person no less than the Law Minister's speaks of a different mindset which our elected representitives have. They consider themselves to be superior human beings and above law. Yet, we, the masses have high hopes on them to alleviate our sufferings.
Labels: Governance, PML(N), Punctuality
posted @ 12:25 PM,
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Politics of Principles or Lack Thereof!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Commenting on the presentation of pardon documents, duly signed by PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif, by advocate-general of Sindh in the court, Khwaja Asif of PML(N) accused that it was done on the instructions of President Zardari. Khwaja Asif stated in the Parliament that Mr. Zardari had once again started the politics of confrontation. Khwaja Asif commented, “If they continue character assassination of our leadership then we will also tell the people how Farooq H Naek brought the NRO (National Reconciliatory Ordinance) before us to give indemnity to Gen Musharraf” . He further said," The president lacks credibility and no body trusts him". Responding from the treasury benches, Ms Mehreen Anwer Raja said those who are criticising the NRO should tell the people who begged the military dictator for pardon. The speaker expunged the remarks from the proceedings on the request of Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mehreen Anwar Raja and Fauzia Wahab.
Politics in Pakistan has nothing to do with principles which are nothing but a rhetoric to befool the masses. The above event very clearly indicates the tacit understanding between the two major political parties that neither would expose the other as both have a lot to hide. The moment one side tries to violate that understanding, the other side 'blows the whistle'.
Politics in Pakistan has nothing to do with principles which are nothing but a rhetoric to befool the masses. The above event very clearly indicates the tacit understanding between the two major political parties that neither would expose the other as both have a lot to hide. The moment one side tries to violate that understanding, the other side 'blows the whistle'.
Labels: PML(N), Power Politics, PPP, Zardari
posted @ 1:18 PM,
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Playing Opposition till Award of Ministries
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Mr. Atta Moneka, leader of PML(Q) Unification Group, has stated that his party would continue to play the role of opposition till they are given ministries by PML(N)in Punjab. Earlier during the political battle between PPP and PML(N) for control over Punjab, it was PML(Q) Unification group which supported PML(N) and enabled the latter to stay on in power. Then, the stand of PML(Q) Unification group was that they were moving away from PML(Q) towards PML(N) for unification of Pakistan Muslim League. According to them, it was a matter of principles and they were not doing so for the sake of ministries. If that was so, then why they are now choosing to sit on the opposition benches.
Politics in Pakistan is nothing but pursuit of power. It has nothing to do with principles which are but mere rhetoric to befool the masses.
Politics in Pakistan is nothing but pursuit of power. It has nothing to do with principles which are but mere rhetoric to befool the masses.
Labels: PML(N), Power Politics, Punjab
posted @ 1:30 PM,
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Field Day for the Rulers
Monday, June 15, 2009
The current state of power and politics in Pakistan is a strange balance which is detriment to the development of our country and the well being of the poor. Pakistan Peoples Party is in power in the centre and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) in Punjab. Coalition governments in Sindh and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have also brought Muttehidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) in the fold of power.
It appears that every one is in the ruling party/coalition. There is no significant opposition to the federal or the provincial governments. Although in the opposition in the centre, PML(N) can't offer any opposition to the federal government as it is going to be responded by PPP is in Punjab. Absence of potent opposition in the parliament, the ruling parties and coalition partners are all having a field day.
Labels: ANP, MQM, Parliament, PML(N), Power Politics, PPP
posted @ 9:51 AM,
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Punjab minister Ghafoor restored
Monday, June 8, 2009
Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor has been restored as Minister Prisons by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. A couple of weeks ago, the former had been asked to stop functioning as a minister after the media reports of his misconduct and certain other realities beyond that at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore. Although with a reprimand, the minister has been asked to perform his duties honestly. The question is if a similar ill conduct was displayed by a common man how would he have been treated. I wonder if such a person would have been pardoned. In fact, the minister deserved a bigger punishment as better and exemplary conduct is expected of persons of his class. It is doubtful if the minister ever considered resigning as a minister if not as a legislator. Following the trait of nepotism an exception has been made. Where is the so often trumpeted justice? Words needs to be followed by deeds.
Labels: Governance, Justice, Legislators, PML(N), Punjab
posted @ 12:05 PM,
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Nawaz Sharif's Return to Parliment via Supreme Court
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Supreme Court of Pakistan made a landmark judgement overruling one of its earlier verdicts regarding the disqualification of the two brothers to contest parlimentary elections. The decision of the bench of five judges was unanimous. The bench also included two judges of the previous bench which had given the judgement of disqualification. This has paved way for Mr. Nawaz Sharif to return to parliment by contesting bye elections and Mr. Shahbaz Sharif to continue as Chief Minister of Punjab.
The judgement could not have come about without the restoration of judiciary after the threatening long march of March 16, 2009. This is the first personal benefit Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his party have got of their supporting the movement of restoration of judiciary. This judgement is going to have far reaching effects on the political course of our country. By giving this judgement, Supreme Court has set a course for itself which is pretty clear. Whereas, PPP has welcomed the judgement, it will now be keeping its fingers crossed over the issue of NRO. The government will have to be extra careful and arbitrary decision will become difficult. Mr. Nawaz Sharif's return to parliment will provide him inner strength and confidence to lead his party, the parliment will become more active and it will become further difficult for PPP led coalition to ignore PML(N). And, from now on, Nawaz Sharif will be in a position to pose real personal threat to the politics of Zardari.
The judgement could not have come about without the restoration of judiciary after the threatening long march of March 16, 2009. This is the first personal benefit Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his party have got of their supporting the movement of restoration of judiciary. This judgement is going to have far reaching effects on the political course of our country. By giving this judgement, Supreme Court has set a course for itself which is pretty clear. Whereas, PPP has welcomed the judgement, it will now be keeping its fingers crossed over the issue of NRO. The government will have to be extra careful and arbitrary decision will become difficult. Mr. Nawaz Sharif's return to parliment will provide him inner strength and confidence to lead his party, the parliment will become more active and it will become further difficult for PPP led coalition to ignore PML(N). And, from now on, Nawaz Sharif will be in a position to pose real personal threat to the politics of Zardari.
Labels: Judiciary, Justice, PML(N), PPP, Zardari
posted @ 9:33 AM,
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