In a strongly-worded resolution passed on Friday, the Senate rebuffed calls by anti-government protesters that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should resign and upheld the supremacy of parliament and the constitution.
The resolution — tabled by Senator Saeed Ghani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in an effort to safeguard the current democratic set-up — also called the demand for dissolution of assemblies “unconstitutional”.
Violent mob
The house earlier resumed discussion on a motion moved by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar against Imran’s civil disobedience movement. According to the PPP senator, the parliament was under siege by two violent mobs that were using derogatory language against parliamentarians. He added that accepting their self-assumed right to make political choices behalf of the people at this stage will encourage extremist outfits to seize the Pakistan’s security and nuclear assets.
“This is an unprecedented move. Never has parliament been disrespected in this manner – even during periods of martial law,” he said.
Babar added that the government must act prudently and take steps to strengthen political forces to preserve the democratic system. The PPP senator said the mob attack on Parliament House shows how stick-wielding protesters can pose a threat to national security. If the government allows unruly mobs to have unconstitutional demands approved through brute force, militants will gain a freehand to seize nuclear assets, he said.
“We have to decide whether we want to run our state through rule of law or the dictates of unruly mobs,” the PPP senator said.
Democracy under threat
Farhatullah Babar said that “deliberate and calculated” steps were being taken to defame parliament and derail the democratic process. According to the PPP senator, Imran Khan’s Azadi march – which is largely based on a demand for a vote audit – appear dubious as his six point demand charter does not include the demand for vote audit.
He called on the Parliament to tackle these challenges and play a crucial role in upholding democratic institutions.
The way forward
Senator Afrasiab Khattak of the Awami National Party said that the Azadi and Inqilab marches have failed to have the desired impact as all the political forces are supporting the writ of the state. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to promote sectarianism in the country.
“If these malicious designs succeed, Pakistan would become another Iraq or Syria”, he stated. Khattak suggested that another charter of democracy should be signed by all the political parties.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said that all matters should be resolved in parliament and not on the streets. He added that, in a democracy, every citizen has the right to protest. However, the MQM senator vehemently opposed the use of abusive language and the occupation of parliament gates as a security threat.
Senator Zafar Ali Shah said that the PTI chief’s name-calling tactics against parliamentarians is unethical and he should issue an apology.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2014.
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Nawaz and Shahbaz does not have the ' Theka ' for Pakistan. 3 failed turns at the wheels are enough, Or...will be dragged kicking and screaming from the throne room.
PPP worried Imran will wipe them out even in their traditional strongholds if PTI succeeds in the present struggle to oust the usual suspects.
Looters support looters. It is proved that all plunderers and looters of national wealth have joined hands to protect this corrupt so-called democratic system so as they could continue minting money from both hands. But the time has come to say good bye to this out dated system and and so-called democracy in the country. No regrets if this corrupt system collapses.This would be the real Azadi.