PA maiden session: a solemn affair

The newly elected MPAs of Punjab Assembly (PA) took oath on Saturday in a session that looked different and untraditional from the one witnessed at the onset of the parliamentary process in 2008.
The one big evidence of the difference came when Shahbaz Sharif set foot in the hall where the members were scheduled to take oath. In 2008, there was an uproar and outpouring of sentiments as soon as the members saw Shahbaz entering the hall. The members then were in a celebrative mood marking the occasion with cheers, sloganeering and desk-thumping, not to mention the dances by some zealots.
This time all of that action was missing when Shahbaz Sharif graced the occasion. The members from PML-N appeared less sentimental and jovial, one supposed.
Even Sharif was quite serious, if not grim, as if there was a lot on his mind, reflecting the heavy burden of responsibility on his party’s shoulders and more importantly, the advent of a different lot in opposition benches. The serious and head-on start of the new assembly despite the PML-N’s historic victory in elections was quite noticeable.
The PML-N achieved a historic mandate this time around, improving its figures from 1997 when it blew away all predictions with its heavy mandate. PML-N’s mandate is even heavier than before as far as the Punjab Assembly is concerned. Yet the mood was solemn and grim, quite unlike past parliamentary sessions as if there was hardly any cause for festivity.
Shahbaz Sharif is all set to take oath as chief minister for a record third time on June 6 with a huge backing of MPAs.
As such he would face no problem in implementing his agenda or carrying out a surgery where required riding his mandate. But the absolute majority in Punjab is also reason enough for the PML-N leadership to be cautious and careful. From now on, only performance will matter and nothing else.
Being the ruling party with governments in the Centre and Punjab will require a national outlook and not only a Punjab-centric approach.
Now if the PML-N decides to distribute goodies like ‘sasti roti’ in parts of Punjab, other provinces would demand their share in the scheme. If Punjab government presses ahead with more Danish Schools, other provinces will seek the same from the Sharifs.
The new assembly is untraditional in the sense that there are several known faces in the treasury but several new ones in opposition. Yet there was no shortage of political families making it to the house once again, despite much outcry against them in favour of new faces.
The faces might be different, but all big political families from south, central and northern Punjab seemed fully represented in the new order. Again, a large number of youth made it through this time.
It will be testing for them to adjust to parliamentary practices. Many of them can make a lasting imprint if they seize the opportunity with both hands. The opposition seems too small as compared to the huge treasury. But it sounds like an energetic one with the presence of youth giving it a new flavour and vigour.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is all set to take on the PML-N from day one. Its opposition leader Mahmoodur Rashid is quite a tough-task master.
The opposition members have a great opportunity to make their presence felt besides making a real career. All of this depends on how seriously they take their new roles in the parliament. It seems that in the coming days it will be an interesting contest between the treasury and opposition despite the huge disparity in numbers on each side.