PTI’s return to parliamentary politics
The announcement by the PTI and PML-N of their agreement on the formation of a judicial commission was widely hailed even before its ToRs were made public. The agreement has brought a ceasefire between the government and the PTI after seven months of bitter wrangling. The agreement when implemented would pave the way for the PTI’s entry into the National Assembly where the Committee on Electoral Forms is awaiting its participation in the proceedings. The ANP and JUI-F were the only parties which raised eyebrows over the accord. The MQM approved it conditionally maintaining that it would give its final opinion only after being informed of the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Reportedly the judicial commission is to be formed through a presidential ordinance under Article 89 of the Constitution which provides for the formation of a commission. The proposed body would comprise three judges of the Supreme Court and would conduct investigations with the help of the topmost security agencies and NADRA.
The ToRs have been reportedly shared with political parties but are yet to be made public. A newspaper report claims that an agreement has been reached to dissolve the assemblies and hold fresh elections if systematic and organised rigging is established.
Any important decision which affects a number of political parties requires prior consultation among them to reach a consensus. While deciding about the possible dissolution of the assemblies, other parties should have been taken on board. Nawaz Sharif has called heads of parliamentary parties for consultations today. While the PPP has all along supported the talks between the PPP and PML-N and has welcomed the formation of the commission, it remains highly sensitive about moves that it perceives to be aimed at unsettling its Sindh government. One can only hope the issue is settled to everyone’s satisfaction. Sensing the uncertainty the PTI has decided to return to the National Assembly only after the judicial commission agreed to by the government is formed.