High drama

The theatrics that have been on since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced the resignation of its representatives from the National Assembly and three provincial assemblies nearly two months ago continue. The 25 PTI MNAs who visited the speaker’s lounge on October 29 declined to meet Speaker Ayaz Sadiq individually, as he had sought. They asked instead that the speaker meet them collectively to verify their resignations. Since Mr Sadiq declined to do this, the strange state of impasse then continues. The speaker has now written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking its help in the matter. While this falls within the rules governing the National Assembly, which allow the speaker to seek assistance from any source, the ECP has made it clear that it will, realistically, not be able to offer much help.

This matter has lingered on for far too long. It needs to be resolved. The PTI itself, too, must be aware of this, with conjecture doing the rounds that some of its MNAs may not be willing to quit. This is doing little for its image. The matter could easily be brought to an end with the MNAs announcing their resignations on the floor of the House, as Javed Hashmi did. This would help settle things instantly. But we hope matters will not come to this and that PTI MNAs will retain the seats they acquired as a consequence of votes from the people they represent. Some compromise acceptable to all must be worked out. The resignation of PTI MNAs would have a damaging influence, as a parliament that does not consist of arguably the second-largest party (in terms of the popular vote in the last election) in the country will find it difficult to function smoothly. Conjecture around mid-term polls is already being heard too often and we badly require stability. All those involved must demonstrate maturity and find a way to sort out the matter. We need to see a more determined effort to move towards a solution so that this matter can be sorted out quickly and the prolonged crisis ended.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2014.

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