Resolving issues in a democratic manner
11 May is finally over. Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri have held separate rallies. Fears that they may join hands to create difficulties for the government at the behest of offstage players have proven to be baseless, at least for the time being. It is clear though that both are determined to give the PML-N run for its money over the next four years. Of the two fire brands, Imran Khan wants to work from within the system to remove what he considers its serious shortcomings. Some of his stands however create the perception that he might anytime change direction and say goodbye to the system. His major demands include resignation of the present election commissioners, verification of voters’ thumbprints in four constituencies, and adjudication of post-election appeals within the stipulated time of 120 days. None of the nine demands put up by Khan can be fulfilled by the government alone. The call for a really independent and more powerful Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would require a constitutional amendment. The recourse to a biometric system, the use of electronic voting machines and the right of vote to Pakistanis living abroad needs a consensus among political parties. The PTI being a major party in the NA, it could have achieved some of its aims by winning over other parties which it failed to do because of its ‘holier than thou’ stance. The party has yet to display the flexibility needed to use the parliamentary platform more effectively. For this Imran Khan has to outgrow the image of the self as a political outsider. He has announced yet another rally on 23 May at Faisalabad and weekly protests outside the office of ECP.
Tahirul Qadri has questioned the very legitimacy of the ECP, government and Parliament. The PAT chief bases his case on the alleged deviation of ECP from the constitution by allowing a category of people barred under the basic law from taking part in the elections. The government has also failed to fulfill a number of constitutional obligations like providing free and compulsory education to children between the age of 5 to 16 years and ensuring the security of life to citizens. Further, it has failed to provide for local governments which are financially and administratively empowered and to hold their elections. It remains unclear whether the ‘revolution’ Qadri talks about would come through patient persuasion or violent methods. However many who otherwise strongly differ with Qadri’s slogan of ‘revolution’ agree that the government is ignoring some of its major constitutional obligations with impunity.
It is time Nawaz Sharif revises his policy of indifference towards the National Assembly and Senate, gives proper importance to the opposition and avoids unnecessary standoffs. Hubris born out of big mandate harmed the PML-N in 1999; it would do it no good this time either.