All these lawmakers are senior stalwarts of the PPP and well-respected members of the legal profession
KARACHI: My heart goes out to Senator Raza Rabbani, the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Security and Constitutional Reforms since 2008, who reportedly choked back tears because he “never felt as ashamed as he did in today’s voting for military courts”. And also to the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Khurshid Shah, who, “more softly”, justified his party’s “painful decision”. And to the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Aitzaz Ahsan, who apparently “died today” (all documented in various papers) in the same cause. All these lawmakers are senior stalwarts of the PPP and well-respected members of the legal profession. Undoubtedly, they are all honourable people.
Perhaps, today’s tears, sadness and powers of persuasion might have been avoided if many years ago, and with at least three chances for doing so, they had guided their party towards the constitutional rule of law. Then, given the PPP’s strength and the legal acumen of its stalwarts, it could have helped ensure that various governments adhered to checks and balances.
Dr Mervyn Hosein
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2015.
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