Clearly, something our parliamentarians need lessons in
Parliament is the supreme “law making” body. There is no doubt about the supremacy and the sovereignty of the upper and lower houses of any parliament. Be it the Congress and the senate in the United States or the Majlis e shoora in Pakistan, every system of governance rests its power at one place which becomes the epicentre.
Normally a parliamentarian would be busy legislating on pressing issues or even legislate to amend outdated incumbent laws. However, our beloved nation has a parliamentary democracy of its own. Rather than focusing on drafting laws, in order, to effectively govern the state the members of our parliament are capable of doing anything but legislate. We are the only nation of its kind whose finance minister has been indicted on charges of possessing assets beyond means, nevertheless he remains adamant on clinging to his seat. Do not miss out the irony here; a finance minister charged for holding assets beyond means. This is the man responsible for attaining financial security for the entire country and securing the financial interests of the people. Yet he remains caught up furnishing surety bonds to keep himself out of jail.
It is not only about Ishaq Dar, every other parliamentarian of Pakistan is at best capable of flattering himself in the ‘thannas’ and ‘kutcheris’ and can only blabber about his seat and credentials to the local SHO. These members of the assemblies are also good at securing development funds for their respective constituencies so that they can secure their presence in the assembly for another five years. I wouldn’t be too hard on that though. After all the parliamentarians are politicians by profession and staying in power reflects a good politician. Obviously nobody likes voting for a guy who remains at a distance from the corridors of power.
Regardless, the fact does remain pitiful that our legislators do not fulfil their actual duty to the nation. A common perception persists that in order to be a part of history books work as much as you can for the people by continuing development. By development our dear friends believe constructing roads and underpasses or even rapid transit systems. Yes these might be considered one form of development but not a lasting one. Let me remind you Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto isn’t remembered for his slogan ‘roti, kapra and makan’ rather he is respected for introducing the Constitution of Pakistan which we law students simply adore.
Taking a leaf out of Bhutto’s book wouldn’t do much harm. There is always an opportunity to legislate on pressing issues which remain a predicament for the country. For one, our country drastically requires stricter traffic laws and their subsequent enforcement. Thousands of people lose their lives annually. Mostly because they do not adhere to the laws. A maximum fine of Rs. 500 won’t bring about the required change. On the contrary if the citizenry were to face a fine of Rs. 5000, then even the richer ones would blink twice before running over a traffic light.
Similarly, our legislators have no moral sense of responsibility to legislate upon on controversial laws shadowing the country. They don’t consider it worthy of their time to introduce bills for a better system of government. Even a whim of an education bill hasn’t been felt by the Parliament for far too long. Simultaneously, these worthy members of the parliament remain expeditious in promulgating laws to protect their political masters. A recent amendment tabled in the senate speaks for itself.
Till the time our people and those ruling them do not feel a sense of responsibility nothing seems to be changing in the near future. As I have constantly lambasted our rulers for lack of attention to it, education remains the key to successful endeavours. If illiterate people were to occupy the benches of the parliament one can only expect statutes being passed to replace the Quaid’s picture from the currency and replace it with that of Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif. The incumbent leaders haven’t even shied away from stating that they will change the laws if the need be but they will make sure that Mr Sharif returns for a fourth time.
Although it is a sight to see another branch monitoring the parliament closely. However, it would be an unwelcome move if the judiciary were to interfere with the affairs of the parliament, even if it is to keep the cronies in line. After all as I stated earlier, parliamentary supremacy is of supreme importance and it would be a bigger quandary to allow that to be changed. Instead of letting that happen, we as a nation should build a narrative which brings about a positive change.
The younger generation needs to focus on taking responsibility for their actions. Rather than analysing the current scenario of the country from a distance, each and every one of us needs to step forward and steer the country in the right direction. The elders have done what they had to. The need of the hour is to emancipate from the wishful thinking we all live in and perceive the reality.
Peacefully but forcefully, it is our prerogative to push our respective members of the parliament to advocate for a change inside the lower and upper house. We could actually progress if our leaders were to sit and legislate upon education, healthcare and general welfare of the populous. It is high time we pressurise these ruthless people to ensure protection of the people by introducing constitutional amendments which safeguard the interests of the public at large.
Pakistanis, till such time as you are not ready to step up for your country, do not sit and complain about the everyday plight of your country. We being a part of this wonderful nation remain under equal responsibility to fight for its betterment.
