NA passes rare pro-democracy resolution

ISLAMABAD: Sensing the resonance of ‘big boots marching into their territory again’, the parliamentarians have moved swiftly to reaffirm their resolve to protect and strengthen democracy in Pakistan through an ‘unusual’ resolution unanimously adopted by the National Assembly on Friday.

The move, apparently a message of being united from the often-humble political forces, comes amid ‘rumoured’ reports of a ‘discreet’ plan of installing a national government which the country’s powerful security establishment wants to press ahead with.

And also it was after almost a week of bickering between two political parties on whether the military generals should have any role in either putting in place or removing administrative setups.

The house shortened a debate on the official relief endeavours in the aftermath of devastating floods across the country.

Just before the house passed the resolution, the latest outburst took place between the Pakistan Muslim League-N and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with top leaders from both sides questioning the democratic credentials of each other’s parties.

The MQM, under immense criticism for its chief Altaf Hussain’s invitation to generals for a martial law-styled intervention, also won a ‘face-saving  consolation’ resolution calling for the eradication of feudalism and corruption from the country. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan came up with what appeared to be the harshest outburst so far by any MP against what he called some extra-constitutional steps by the military leadership recently.

“We respect generals as long as they protect the frontiers of the country…if they deviate from this, I will say with full force, my party will surely resist them. We can never allow any of them to change regimes,” said Nisar.

“The developments in the past few weeks are grave,” he added. He criticised the military leadership for bypassing the civilian government in flood relief efforts. The pro-democracy resolution called for strengthening true and genuine democratic system and institutions ‘freshly replanted by the people of Pakistan after years of struggle against oppression and tyranny’.

“This house reiterates its determination to uphold the supremacy of the constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights of the people and the rule of law,” the resolution reads.

“This house shall preserve, protect and defend the constitution, which embodies the principles of democracy, freedom and political, economic and social justice.”

Moved by Law Minister Dr Babar Awan, the resolution warned against ‘disastrous consequences’ of deviation from the democratic and constitutional path that invariably leads to political instability.

“History has established this fact,” it added, mentioning that differences between the federation and the provinces, disruption of the rule of law and lack of confidence in the judicial system have always been the outcomes of military intervention.

“Any attempt to adopt extra-constitutional or non-democratic measures amounts to endangering the future of Pakistan,” said the carefully written resolution but did not give any hint of democracy being under threat.

Anti-feudal resolution

The second resolution that was initiated by the MQM members but was ultimately adopted unanimously called for eradicating feudalism from the country. “It (feudalism) will be detrimental to the interest of the people of Pakistan and to the furthering of democracy, fair play and justice in the country,” the text said.

“From the inception of Pakistan feudal lords, corrupt elements amongst the politicians, generals, bureaucracy, judges and capitalists have usurped the resources of people of Pakistan.” “This house therefore resolves that eradication of feudalism and corruption is the need of the hour and genuine land reforms is the requirement of the day,” the resolution concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.