Amid raised hopes of better delivery
The National Assembly meets today for the administration of oath to its newly elected members. After the speaker and deputy speaker are elected on June 3, the next step would be to elect the new prime minister on June 5. After that everything is all set to go. Despite a number of greenhorns this time round, the new Assembly is by no means short of seasoned parliamentarians. The 18th amendment has taken away crucial powers from the president, investing these with the prime minister who leads the National assembly. This has raised hopes that the National Assembly would take effective measures to end power shortages, resuscitate the economy and resolve the issue of militancy. Further, that it would strengthen institutions, encourage good governance and ensure the rule of law.
In five years time Pakistan has come a long way from the 2002 Assembly which enjoyed little power or prestige while the MNAs gave scant importance to the sittings of the house. Many came to Islamabad during the assembly sessions only to get things done for themselves or their constituencies through calls on those who mattered. The lack of interest in the proceedings of a powerless house led to frequent break downs of the quorum. Instead of taking the opposition on board the ruling PML-Q, widely known as the King’s party, preferred to steamroll it. This led to too many protests, walk outs, and rowdy scenes in the house. Taking note of the disrespectful behaviour of the MNAs, Musharraf did not come to the joint session of the Parliament to deliver the mandatory yearly address except on one occasion.
The 2008 Assembly was many steps ahead. Thanks to the policy of reconciliation, Gilani was elected leader of the house unanimously and the president addressed it every year. Among the major achievements of the PPP-led National Assembly were constitutional amendments that expanded provincial autonomy, institutionalized the procedure of the appointment of superior judiciary and put together a consensus NFC Award. The house also achieved another historic first: electing its first woman Speaker. There were fewer protests and walkouts and lesser complaints of lack of quorum. The government, however, was a hostage to its alliances which led to the formation of an extra large cabinet and the subsequent bad governance. Many cabinet ministers faced charges of corruption during the PPP’s tenure.
The PML-N contrarily enjoys simple majority in the present house. However with the PTI putting up its own candidate for the office of the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif is not likely to get a unanimous endorsement. With a formidable strength of 186 members in a House of 338, the PML-N is in a position to further strengthen and expand democratic traditions. For this it will need the cooperation of the opposition. But to encourage the opposition to act responsibly, the government has to take it on board on major issues.
