Senators throw weight behind govt over ISPR's 'governance' statement

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan says opposition will stand with government in case of any trouble

ISLAMABAD: A day after members of the lower house reposed faith in the governance of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the upper house threw their weight behind the government, but with a warning that all institutions should work within their constitutionally defined parameters.

Top military commanders this week had expressed their concern over the lack of ‘governance initiatives’ to complement counterterrorism operations.

In response, Senators on Thursday assured the government of their support.



Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar kicked off the debate on the issue by noting how the ruling PML-N, had indeed effected weak governance, least of all in how the military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations released the statement.

“The announcement [from the corps commanders’ meeting] was in itself a sign of poor governance,” Babar pointed out. He added that the military should have relayed its concerns to the prime minister in a private meeting.

The PPP senator pointed out that the government had backtracked on commitments made as part of the CPEC, had abolished ministry of Human Rights and has failed to appoint dedicated foreign and defence ministers.



“Unfortunately, it looks as if I am a spokesperson for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which I am not. But it is sad that I am still doing that,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan though came forward to back the government. “We [opposition] will be standing with you [government], as we did [during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s sit-in], in case of any trouble.”

While giving the government a much needed vote of confidence, Ahsan criticised members of the ruling party for failing to stand up with Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai who chose to defend the government in the lower house.

Nauman Wazir of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticised the poor performance of the government, particularly its inaction in the war-torn and disaster struck areas of the federally administered tribal areas (Fata).

Professor Sajid Mir of the PML-N said that the army has always tried to control the affairs of the government. He urged that all institutions should work within their constitutionally defined parameters, and not try to become the “supervisor” of the civil government.



Usman Kakar of the PkMAP said that there had been attempts to interfere in the government’s internal and external affairs, and that the government should not compromise on the supremacy of Parliament.

PML-N’s Nihal Hashmi, while appreciating the support extended by Ahsan, complained that the opposition leader censures the premier unnecessarily.

However, Senator Mohsin Leghari justified the military’s statement. “Perhaps ISPR issued a wakeup call asking government to do its job.” He said the inefficiency of the government was plain to see when the army has to be called in whenever there is a natural disaster or elections in the country.

Senate chairman proposes in-camera session

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani suggested that an in-camera joint session of parliament should be held on issues pertaining to foreign policy and the National Action Plan [NAP].

“I would advise the government to convene an in-camera joint session of parliament to discuss issues related to foreign policy and NAP,” Chairman Raza Rabbani said during a debate on the subject.

In case government does not desire a joint session on the subject, Rabbani suggested that a special session of the upper house should be held behind closed doors. He urged all institutions to work within their constitutionally prescribed limits and adhere to the rules of business in their ‘mode of communication’.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2015.