And PML-N’s antics
The PML-N has taken time to rid itself of the ideological ballast it inherited as Zia’s legacy. The party leadership faltered several times in the process, the latest example being its initial opposition to the idea of carving out a Seraiki province out of Punjab. For the PPP, the idea was never a taboo as some of its leaders in the region were supporters of a separate provincial entity. The party waited for an opportune time to raise the issue. As a number of Seraiki speaking parliamentarians raised the issue soon after 2008, the PPP encouraged them. The PML-N however saw a conspiracy behind the demand and its initial response was hostile. The party later agreed to support it, albeit unwillingly, when it found that the opposition to the demand could cost it in public support in the forthcoming elections.
The PPP is now in haste to cash in on the issue. Last month the National Assembly Speaker was tasked by President Zardari to take measures in the direction. Dr Fahmida Mirza got authorization from the assembly to from a parliamentary commission on July 11. On August 16, a 14-member commission was nominated by her which held its first meeting on Tuesday without the participation of the PML-N.
The PML-N has opposed the commission on the ground that despite being the major opposition party it was not consulted over the formation and the terms of reference of the body. Opposition Leader in National Assembly Choudhry Nisar has demanded a commission on new provinces on the pattern of the one formed in India. The PML-N has directed its parliamentarians who were nominated by Dr Mirza to boycott the proceedings. On Monday, there was a rumpus in the Punjab Assembly as the Speaker refused to nominate two members of the provincial assembly to join the parliamentary body. The party wants the formation of a commission with a wider mandate that includes discussing the demands for other provinces also. The party forgets that no other legislature has passed a resolution favoring the bifurcation of its province.
While the PPP is likely to interpret the PML-N’s stand as a dilatory tactic, there is a need on its part to realize that decisions on highly vital issues connected with the bifurcation of Punjab that include boundaries, division of assets, and share in resources have to be discussed with all stakeholders, the most important being the representatives of its assembly. Instead of making the matter a political issue in the elections, the best way would be to leave it to the next assembly due to be elected by the first quarter of 2013.