People’s representatives’ standoff disrupts serious work
Opposition parties have decided to completely boycott proceedings of the Lower House which was debating Budget 2017.The tussle with the government started on May 29 when the speech of Leader of the Opposition on the budget was not telecast live by PTV, which united the usually warring mainstream opposition parties on a single platform. Thereafter the latter followed a policy of ‘speak and scoot’, a brief abrasive statement by Khursheed Shah on some governmental lapse, of which there is no dearth at any given time, and walkout for the day. It is unfortunate that the Speaker acts partially at times, even going against set parliamentary rules and practices. In the UK where it all started, the Speaker on being elected renounces his party membership, and embraces a ‘political death’. He is the lynchpin behind running the House smoothly and ensuring that all backbencher voices are fairly heard.
It was the PML-N’s responsibility to hasten the return of the opposition bloc by showing flexibility and understanding of their grievances so that the budget discussion could profit by their participation and advice. There is still time for the government to make amends for its customary haughtiness by making earnest and meaningful efforts to cajole the sulking opposition back to the parliamentary fold. This would add credibility to the budget process and foster a spirit of amity. But gigantic egos, the bane of our society, will not be easy to overcome. And so, as the senseless impasse continues, the problems of the people and the country will remain unaddressed and worsen, which cannot be good for the already stressed political system.
The apparently vindictive arrest of independent Jamshed Dasti and his incarceration in a terrorist cell without allowing visitors has also invited opposition criticism. And the National Assembly can certainly do without Khawaja Asif’s repeated misogynistic remarks on ‘tractor trolleys’ and ‘dumpers’, and also hopefully witness quorums instead of the usual empty seats, especially in the front rows, comprising of ministers. The government must also learn to take criticism with good grace.