But will steam be blown off?
The ice has been finally broken. The PPP and PML-N are holding talks. Interestingly, the first subject they have chosen to take up is the Accountability Bill which on account of the sharp differences between them remains stuck up in Parliament since 2009. The PPP has been for long under pressure to seek the revival of the cases against President Zardari in Swiss courts. Earlier in July, the NAB requested an accountability court to reopen pending cases against Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif also. Under the circumstances, it is understandable why both sides need to reopen talks on a long neglected issue.
There is a need to have an accountability body trusted by all and sundry. The NAB created under Musharraf was widely seen to be an instrument in the hands of those in power to persecute opponents. The body has failed to shed the reputation. The idea of creating an independent accountability body led the government to present before the NA Committee on Law and Justice the draft of a bill entitled “National Accountability Commission Act, 2010”. The bill had to be put in cold storage on account of the opposition’s objections. The major controversial issues revolved around the selection of the head the accountability commission, the categories of people who were to be subjected to accountability and the time from which the accountability was to start. Reportedly, the government is prepared to concede on some of the points raised by the opposition while differences persist on others.
Certain issues of immediate importance also cropped up during the discussion. These related to an early date for general elections, appointment of the leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly and local government elections prior to the general elections in all the provinces. Interestingly, the PML-N which often acts as self appointed champion of the SC is opposed to hold these elections in Punjab despite the apex court making it clear that this is a constitutional requirement that has to be fulfilled.
That talks are being held on a new accountability law is welcome. The parleys indicate that the saner elements in the PML-N do not agree with the hawks like Chaudhry Nisar who outrightly reject parleys with the PPP. Hopefully, the two parties will agree on a law which is comprehensive and leads to the creation of a really independent accountability body which enjoys public confidence. One also hopes that the new law will recognize no holy cows. There is also a need to resolve the issue of a neutral caretaker set up at the earliest.
