National Assembly waves goodbye

First assembly to complete term strengthens civilian power

The National Assembly (NA) was dissolved in a low-key session on March 15, 2013. For better or for worse, the day will be marked in Pakistan’s history to celebrate the first parliament to complete its tenure. Just to set the record straight, Pakistan has had 12 separate NAs.

A good-bye note from President Asif Ali Zardari was read out by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Yasmeen Rehman: “The session that started on February 18, 2008 has prorogued on completion of its business. I pray that Allah gives us success and that democracy should continue and the next parliament should also complete its term.”

In a record 650 sittings, the NA passed 126 bills, 81 of which became Acts, and three constitutional amendments. The legislations included protecting rights for women and children, reinstating sacked employees and changing election laws. Perhaps more than the legislations, the current NA will be remembered for the three constitutional amendments it past: the most significant of which was its decision to devolve some of its own powers through the 18th Amendment. Of course, there is a series of missed opportunities, including the creation of a new province in Southern Punjab.

Amongst other things, the President addressed a joint sitting of Parliament five times. Eight members of parliament died during its five-year tenure, including Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti who was murdered. The NA was addressed addressed twice by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and once by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. It saw two prime ministers: Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

This term, it was the judiciary, not the military, that was the direct tormentor of many a parliamentarian. A prime minister was lost to the NRO case, a number of parliamentarians were questioned for fake degrees and each constitutional amendment befell the scrutiny of the higher judiciary. However, the tussle was one of two institutions looking to regain their power in what had earlier been a khaki dominated set up.

The next parliament shall inherit a mixed legacy, but it is a positive one to follow. Despite disagreements amongst them, the various political parties have recovered some of their constitutional turf, and the next sitting assembly must complete the task. There is a need to strengthen the various parliamentary committees, unlike the many committees who failed to deliver. The strong work of the Public Accounts Committee merits mention and could be a good example to follow. Similar strength is needed to add weight to parliamentary resolutions. Overall, as the Raja Pervez Ashraf tenure comes to a close, another bout of democracy at work is awaited.