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“Believe you me” democracy is on track.
This can be seen and evaluated in light of the recent
political events taking place. That is (I) The rumpus
in parliament over the LFO, which is posing a threat
to the system. The opposition had initiated the ‘go
Musharraf go’ slogan along with vociferent protest
within context to the Legal Framework Order. (II) In
a follow up there was the incident of a politically
uneasy situation at the Punjab Assembly. This resulted
in the beating up of journalists covering the event
and the arrests of top legislators, in order to stop
them entering the Punjab Assembly. Then it was Friday
May 30, that the Lahore High Court, observed that preventing
the opposition M.P.A’s from entering the Assembly
building was illegal, because the Speaker’s order
only barred them from attending the session.
Additionally, in the NWFP the newly established local
government had shown signs of collapsing when all the
provincial district Nazims put forward resignations.
This was in protest to what they saw as a negative attitude
of the provincial government.
The opposition side terms the en-bloc Nazims resignations
as dramatics. They maintain that rulers in the past
used the local bodies institutions for their own interests.
Further, it is felt that the offices of the Nazims will
remain intact. The resignations which should have been
sent to the provincial government were instead sent
to the President. It appears the government side have
won the first round by overcoming ‘D. Day’
in parliament (Budget Session). The speech was made
noise-proof with the use of a mike devised to emit only
utterances and ward off noise. This proved successful.
The opposition failed to block the budget speech. Furthermore,
the government claims a balanced tax free budget with
no mini-budget in the offing.
Then it was the efforts of the Joint Constitutional
Committee which resulted in failure, since there was
no consensus on issues. This development does not bode
well. But there still is some chance of an amicable
solution, when the summit meeting of the political leaders
takes place in the near future.
The Opposition agenda of seven contentious issues poses
a tall order. The constitutional committee discussed
in detail Article 58 (2-b) and Article 41 (7). The parleys
covered discretionary powers of the President schedule
6th and ordinances promulgated since October 12, 1999,
National Security Council, LFO being endorsed by parliament
and other issues.
There are two different viewpoints surfacing on article
58(2-b). The M.M.A appears to accept the president’s
power to dismiss the Prime Minister and his cabinet
but does not agree upon the president’s discretion
to dissolve the National Assembly. On the other hand
the P.P.P.P and P.M.L (N) want complete abolition of
Article 58(2-b). It is wondered if any of these demands
come about.
It is the uniform issue which appears as the sticking
point. Analysts feel that it does not seem likely that
an opposition demand on it would be met. There is a
softer stance on the issue but hard liners do not want
the president to remain in uniform at all. In fact some
say that they were not ready to accept him as the President
in either case. The MMA leadership, reportedly stated
a deadline of August 14, 2003 for the President to put
off his uniform. Recently the media has been highlighting
the uniform issue. This naturally means focus on the
uniform of a very prestigious institution, therefore,
it should find a positive solution soon. Both sides
should agree to a happy medium.
And on the National Security an agreement appears to
be shaping between the government and the opposition.
There are some reservations but there seems agreement
in principle to bring the NSC under parliament. Anyway
by doing so create the NSC by amending the LFO with
two thirds majority. Further is the proposition of including
the leader of the opposition in the Senate, within the
NSC.
The controversy on the LFO is causing a lot of ‘uncertainty’
and needs to reach a positive solution soon. Because
being in an uncertain state does not reflect political
stability. Also it is felt that a continued political
deadlock with the parliament not functioning, could
result in the packing up of the National Assembly. In
the past when a political standoff existed, it caused
the complete derailment of the system. Therefore, the
opposition must also act responsibly. There are some
in the opposition who do want a consensus. But those
with a hawkish approach do not care if the National
Assembly is dissolved. It is Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan
of PML (N) who had earlier stated, “whether it
was possible to pack up the National Assembly.”?
He questioned “How will they run the system if
they do”? Further adding “if President General
Musharraf wants to roll back everything it will lead
to other developments which would seriously undermine
his own dominant role in Pakistan Politics”.
It is perceived by some quarters that the LFO issue
is of no concern to the people as they are only interested
in the betterment of their lot. This does appear somewhat
simplistic and the opinion is not the same with the
intelligentsia. It is maintained that the constitution
and the parliament were supreme to all other things.
It is Mr. Shafqat Mahmood who has the exit strategy
as he has expressed in his article “The General
should be statesman like and come to a grand accord
with the political forces. He should take off his uniform,
give up powers to dissolve the assembly at will, and
in return seek a guaranteed term as President.”
It is thought-provoking as to where the controversy
on LFO would lead to. It is very important and it is
hoped it would find a positive solution soon. Much of
the future political scene can be viewed by recent statements
being made. Firstly, President General Pervez Musharraf
while addressing the Lahore Bar Association clearly
stated “Whether anyone likes it or not I will
stay in uniform till the strengthening of democratic
institutions”. Then it was a rigid stance by MMA
leader Liaqat Baluch after boycott of the National Assembly
Session. Baluch states “if the deadlock continues
we will have no option but to bring people onto the
street to establish the supremacy of the constitution”.
Earlier veteran politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan
stated that if the constitutional committees efforts
failed to reach a consensus over the LFO, then the ARD
would launch a public campaign against the LFO. It is
difficult to comprehend how such an issue would be approached
by street politics. Democracy must remain on track.
It is to await a surprise? The need of the hour is to
move with the faith and responsible.
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