The legislative assembly must not be a rubber stamp anymore; it has to be a law-making organisation
ISLAMABAD: On June 8, we noticed for the first time, a free, fair and peaceful election in Pakistan. The educated and peace-loving people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) cast their votes in favour of their preferred candidates with a turnout of more than 60 per cent. Except for some polling stations in the district of Diamer, the polling process was largely peaceful. According to observers, experts and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the general elections for the G-B Legislative Assembly (GBLA) were free and fair. No plausible evidence of rigging has thus far been provided. The credit directly goes to the election commission of G-B, the local administration and the Pakistan Army for maintaining peace in the region during the election process. The people of G-B also provided an example to their fellow Pakistani citizens.
Of the 24 general seats, the PML-N won 14 and is now in a position to make its own government without going into a coalition with other parties. In fact, this is a great victory for the PML-N. The people of G-B rejected the last PPP-led government, which completely failed to deliver. Now, there is a big challenge for the PML-N president of G-B, Hafeezur Rehman, and his newly-elected team. The educated and politically-informed people of G-B are examining the overall performance of the government. If the new government also fails to deliver, then after five years, the people will do the same thing with the PML-N in the next elections, that they did to the PPP in these polls. The PML-N government must prioritise the major issues facing G-B and try to resolve them as soon as possible. Secondly, it must take bold and gallant steps to eradicate corruption from government departments, stop the ‘selling’ of government jobs, and maintain law and order. The legislative assembly must not be a rubber stamp anymore; it has to be a law-making organisation with the best interests of the people of G-B in its mind. When a government aims to work with good intentions for the people, the public is there to help and support the government. I hope the new dispensation learns from the downfall of the previous regime and establishes an exemplary government in G-B.
Mamtaz Hussain Gohar
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2015.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
