ISLAMABAD: Senator Farhatullah Babar has called for deeper reflection on new emerging threats to democracy and to contain them.
Speaking in the Senate on the eve of International Democracy Day, Babar said the direct assault on democracy and the outright abrogation of the constitution has given way to the use of instruments such as the doctrine of necessity, Legal Framework Order (LFO), Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) and the suspension of the Constitution.
These are all attempts to undermine democratic institutions, he said, adding that now a totally new form of threat has reared its head.
This new threat model is the back seat driving syndrome and exercise of power without responsibility and accountability, he said. In this syndrome, a person on the wheel is out-maneuvered by the real controllers of vital levers on the rear seat, he added.
Such a vehicle is fated to meet a disastrous accident, he warned and urged all institutions respect their limits and not tread into the domain of others.
On an issue of public importance, the senator drew attention towards the expulsion of doctors sans borders from FATA and demanded reversal of the decision.
He lamented that FATA has already been turned into a black hole and closed to visitors. Even the human rights committee has been discouraged from visiting the area on one pretext or another.