Quelling political drama that had stretched out over several months, Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq informed the House that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has agreed to withdraw his party’s motion to de-seat the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). The decision comes a day after the government said it had successfully managed to convince the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) to withdraw its resolution. Salman Khan Baloch moved the withdrawal motion on behalf of the MQM, while Naeema Kishwar Khan moved the same on behalf of the JUI-F. The NA also unanimously approved a new resolution to uphold the supremacy of parliament. Khurshid Shah must be praised, for all his efforts in moving this process forward, seemed to be talking more for PTI than his party when he said ‘we will amend our attitude and move forward”. But PTI took its time coming in line. First the chairman announced he was ready for a spirited bye-election anytime, and later senior members accused the ruling party of point scoring because, according to them, the House would be incomplete without PTI. Yet point scoring is one thing PML-N has smartly avoided – on the matter of the judicial commission and this issue over de-seating. The PTI is increasingly exposing itself through the hypocrisy of suspending the membership of its own election commissioner for alleging rigging in the party’s internal polls. The party has also continued to maintain its position that the Election Commission of Pakistan must be reconstituted, but again this is an attempt to save face. A critical role in resolving the issue in the NA was played by the Speaker Ayaz Sadiq who convinced the MQM and JUI-F to withdraw their motions. Before the motions were withdrawn, the JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman tabled a resolution to uphold democracy and supremacy of parliament. The meaningless resolution was passed by all before the deseating petitions were withdrawn. The leader of opposition from the ever re-conciliatory PPP, Khursheed Shah, termed this as a victory for democracy. However, it would be wise not to cheer the political parties on so much. Democracy in the country stands weakened after the PTI’s politics and the attempts to de-seat it. It may have been re-seated, but parliament has to show much more maturity through its performance. Perhaps it’s best if all concerned can truly move from this episode and concentrate on what is next. PTI now has ample time to prove its credentials as an effective opposition in testing times for the government. For now, though, both PTI and PML-N will turn to the local body elections in Punjab. With the PTI breaking down internally, it should concentrate on putting its house in order, and stitching together an election campaign that has more to sell than opposing parties’ incompetence and alleged illegitimacy. Hopefully all parties concerned have grown that proverbial grey hair by now that reflects the maturity needed to move ahead in a constructive manner.
pk.shafaqna.com
