Changing over

We must hope all the new MPAs are ready to prove their worth.


Editorial May 30, 2013
Too often, democracy has been maligned in our country because of the actions of elected representatives. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

The process of transferring power over to the newly-elected leadership has begun, completing the five-year democratic cycle for the first time in our history. MPAs in Sindh and K-P have duly taken oath. In Sindh, many who previously held seats have returned; in K-P there is a whole sea of new faces. But in both provinces, the expectations of people are the same: they seek committed leadership that can help resolve the complex problems they face and work to improve the basic quality of their lives. We must hope these thoughts were uppermost in the minds of the MPAs as they took their places.

The challenges that lie ahead of them are many. It will take disciplined effort to meet these. The fact that the inaugural session of the Sindh Assembly was a rowdy one, with workers of various parties loudly shouting slogans through proceedings against all rules and protocol is not terribly encouraging. But we hope things will settle down and that governance will proceed smoothly, with Syed Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP set to serve his third term as chief minister. In K-P, quite in contrast, the PTI will be heading a coalition government and taking on this role for the very first time. Right now, the party appears to have the backing of most major parties, and, indeed, such cooperation may be required into the future given that managing the troubled affairs of the province will almost certainly bring with it its share of difficulties.

We must hope all the new MPAs are ready to prove their worth. Too often, democracy has been maligned in our country because of the actions of elected representatives. This unfortunate tradition must change, and persons in whom people have reposed trust must rise up to the task of serving them as fully as they can and proving they can offer the kind of guidance and inspiration needed to build a better future for a country and a people who will be looking at the assemblies with renewed hope. They must not be disappointed this time around.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.                    

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