Joint opposition
At a time when speculations are rife about a “regime change” in the power corridors, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan unanimously warned people who, according to them, wanted to wrap up the democratic system. In what appeared to be a pre-planned move, Chaudhry Nisar broached the issue in the house, providing Gilani an ample opportunity to speak his mind one more time.
As members from Pakistan People’s Party and PML-N backed both Gilani and Nisar by desk thumping, lawmakers from PML-Q did not seem too much interested in pro-democracy remarks, indicating a new political alignment. Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza also joined Prime Minister Gilani and Chaudhry Nisar with a strongly-worded ruling, pledging to defend parliament and the Constitution.
Calling for delineating rules to empower the lower house to initiate ‘contempt of the parliament’ proceedings against all detractors on the pattern of contempt of court proceedings, she said: “It is my responsibility (to) protect parliament. Our supremacy stem from the fact that we are elected: other institutions are nominated,” said Dr Mirza in a rare ruling after both Gilani and Nisar finished their hard-hitting speeches.
She didn’t, however, specify ‘other institutions’.
“We should make rules so that we could call people issuing statements against us for a ‘contempt of parliament’ trial,” Mirza proposed.
Dramatic things started happening right after the end of the question-hour. That is when Chaudhry Nisar stood up, censuring elements who, he alleged, were conspiring against parliament and its members with an intent to defame politicians and uproot democracy.
Stressing the need for enacting a new law for holding generals, judges of the higher judiciary and top bureaucrats accountable, Nisar criticised a recent report by a political think-tank about a three-fold increase in parliamentarians’ wealth over the past four years. He said that the motive behind such moves by non-governmental organisations was “to defame politicians”. “This parliamentarian-bashing is unacceptable…because (we think) there is a conspiracy behind it,” he remarked.
Chaudhry Nisar suggested that like parliamentarians, all segments, previously immune from any kind of censure or liability should also be asked to declare their assets.
“We must take note of it. All those holding public offices, including judges, bureaucrats and generals must be forced to declare their assets,” Nisar said.
But the real warning came from none other than the chief executive of the country.
“I want to assure you, the members who have come to power through elections, their protection is our responsibility,” Gilani said. Promising to fight back “under all circumstances”, the premier said he and his party did not fear anyone who was trying to derail a fragile democratic system, adding that this was nothing new.
“Nobody can frighten us. No conspiracy can. Whosoever has to come, will (have to) come to this parliament.”
Gilani said: “We are proud of being parliamentarians. We will be proud of sitting in the opposition as well.”
In what appeared to be a veiled message for the Supreme Court, the premier said his government would respect and implement judicial judgments, but they had to be within constitutional parameters.
In a clear warning to people allegedly planning to wrap up parliament, Gilani said the government would not interfere in other institutions’ domain, but “we will not…allow anybody to encroach (on) our (domain)”.
Gilani agreed with Nisar’s suggestion to enact a new accountability law to bring generals, judges and bureaucrats into its net.
“We will draft a bill and pass it so that only politicians are not blamed (for corruption). How can this be true that all of them are saints and we are all thieves?” he questioned. “There will be an across-the-board accountability,” Gilani emphasised.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2010.
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