PML-N proposes peculiar changes to pro-democracy resolution
Government to have MQM’s support when the votes are counted on Monday.
ISLAMABAD:
Left without the option of an outright vote against a resolution proposed by the government, given that has been termed to be in support of democracy, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday suggested some changes to the draft.
Changes are rather ambitious and outlandish – and it remains to be seen if the government will accept these amendments in any form.
On Friday, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan tabled the resolution in the National Assembly. The house will vote on January 16, the coming Monday.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, had earlier in the week termed the resolution “unnecessary” and raised objections about its content. On Saturday, however, the PML-N proposed three amendments and submitted the draft to the NA Speaker, along with the signatures of its parliamentarians.
The first amendment proposed a change to paragraph three of the resolution, which currently reads: “… and all state institutions must strictly function within the limits imposed on them by Constitution.”
The PML-N would like to replace the above with: “… and in this regard calls upon the government to immediately implement, in letter and spirit, all previous resolutions of parliament and all decisions of the superior judiciary and to ensure that all administrative actions are strictly in accordance with the constitution and the law, for smooth functioning of all state institutions.”
The second amendment suggested a substitution of paragraph four with: “This house reaffirms that as stated in the first paragraph of the preamble to the Constitution, sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by him is a sacred trust.”
The third and final amendment seeks to change this government statement: “This house endorses and supports the efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening and reposes full confidence.”
The opposition leader’s response to this – “How can you think of us voting for it since we have serious reservations” – drew laughter and desk-thumping from opposition benches.
The PML-N’s suggested substitution is: “Finally this house emphasises that the best guarantee for the strengthening of democracy is the successful resolution of the problems of the people of Pakistan by democratic institutions through dedicated, selfless and corruption-free services for the welfare of the common man and in this regard calls upon the government to discharge its constitutional obligations and provide relief to the suffering masses by devoting all energies and efforts to improve governance, eliminate gas and electricity load-shedding, control inflation, create employment opportunities and put the country back on the path of self-reliant economic growth.”
A long sentence, that, and a tall order. Thus, after the proposed amendments, it seems the ball is back in the PPP’s court.
MQM support
However, the PML-N’s outlandish suggestions may be of less consequence to the government as of Saturday evening.
The ruling PPP’s anxiety will be greatly reduced by news that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to support the resolution. The MQM did not express immediate support for the resolution – complaining that it had been taken on board only at the 11th hour. However, following a sitting of its coordination committees in London and Karachi on Saturday, the party decided that it would support the resolution.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.
Left without the option of an outright vote against a resolution proposed by the government, given that has been termed to be in support of democracy, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday suggested some changes to the draft.
Changes are rather ambitious and outlandish – and it remains to be seen if the government will accept these amendments in any form.
On Friday, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan tabled the resolution in the National Assembly. The house will vote on January 16, the coming Monday.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, had earlier in the week termed the resolution “unnecessary” and raised objections about its content. On Saturday, however, the PML-N proposed three amendments and submitted the draft to the NA Speaker, along with the signatures of its parliamentarians.
The first amendment proposed a change to paragraph three of the resolution, which currently reads: “… and all state institutions must strictly function within the limits imposed on them by Constitution.”
The PML-N would like to replace the above with: “… and in this regard calls upon the government to immediately implement, in letter and spirit, all previous resolutions of parliament and all decisions of the superior judiciary and to ensure that all administrative actions are strictly in accordance with the constitution and the law, for smooth functioning of all state institutions.”
The second amendment suggested a substitution of paragraph four with: “This house reaffirms that as stated in the first paragraph of the preamble to the Constitution, sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by him is a sacred trust.”
The third and final amendment seeks to change this government statement: “This house endorses and supports the efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening and reposes full confidence.”
The opposition leader’s response to this – “How can you think of us voting for it since we have serious reservations” – drew laughter and desk-thumping from opposition benches.
The PML-N’s suggested substitution is: “Finally this house emphasises that the best guarantee for the strengthening of democracy is the successful resolution of the problems of the people of Pakistan by democratic institutions through dedicated, selfless and corruption-free services for the welfare of the common man and in this regard calls upon the government to discharge its constitutional obligations and provide relief to the suffering masses by devoting all energies and efforts to improve governance, eliminate gas and electricity load-shedding, control inflation, create employment opportunities and put the country back on the path of self-reliant economic growth.”
A long sentence, that, and a tall order. Thus, after the proposed amendments, it seems the ball is back in the PPP’s court.
MQM support
However, the PML-N’s outlandish suggestions may be of less consequence to the government as of Saturday evening.
The ruling PPP’s anxiety will be greatly reduced by news that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to support the resolution. The MQM did not express immediate support for the resolution – complaining that it had been taken on board only at the 11th hour. However, following a sitting of its coordination committees in London and Karachi on Saturday, the party decided that it would support the resolution.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.