Pakistan

The debate about the Kerry Luger bill passed by both houses of America has been on in National Assembly of Pakistan. The bill grants $ 1.5 bn per annum for five years but has certain conditions attached to it. These conditions have been rejected by the opposition parties, media and a wide cross section of Pakistani society. The pressure on the government has been so intense that ultimately some of its parliamentarians too opposed the conditions. The conditions relate to micromanagement of the aid money, American access to persons under the garb of pursuing nuclear proliferation network and involvement in the affairs of Pakistan army promotions and the use of military aid. But the most offensive condition relates to the language used while talking about Pakistan's handling of terrorism which presupposes Pakistan to be sponsoring terrorism and asks it to cease it.

However, the surprising thing has been the sudden flight back of Pakistan's foreign minister to Washington, while the debate in the national assembly is still on, to have an explanatory note added to the bill to mitigate the effects of the conditions laid down in the bill before the bill was signed by the American president. And, the latest is that the debate in the Pakistani parliament has been wound up without any vote on the subject or without any resolution. What's the use of such a debate? Where is the writ of the Pakistani parliament? Whither democracy?

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?

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker, Dr Fehmida Mirza, on Tuesday, announced a 27-member Special Committee of Parliament on Constitutional Reforms. The committee has been formed after consulting the parliamentary leaders of 15 political parties having representation in both houses. It has been tasked to finalise the recommendations of political parties for constitutional reforms, including repeal of the 17Th Amendment. And, this is to be done under the scope of the Charter of Democracy, the speaker said.

It has taken more than a year to form a committee for the constitutional reforms. Keeping in mind the enormity of the task, it will take years to finalize the recommendations, implying that PPP will be able to complete its tenure with the constitution as it is, the constitution which grants more powers (including 58(2)B to dissolve the parliament) to the president than the prime minister and the parliament. Mr. Zardari will continue to rule as the Chief Executive with Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani and the parliament playing only as second fiddle to the president. It may be recalled that Mr. Zardari had announced, prior to the presidential election over a year ago, that whoever was elected as the president, the first gift he would give to the nation would be the repeal of 58(2)B. The country is awaiting the receipt of that gift. What a contradiction between the words and deeds of our worthy leaders!

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.