- And a Naya Pakistan?
With MNAs sworn in and the new electoral cycle all but effectively underway, Independence Day festivities have assumed an added dimension. By first ruling out any form of political vendetta, then calling for a healthy working relationship with the opposition, PTI has made the right initial moves. Imran’s offer to present himself and his cabinet for accountability before anybody else, too, took the sting out of would-be alliances against rigging before any could build momentum. Going forward, it will be crucial for both sides of the aisle to work together on important issues. Pakistan is faced with existential threats after all, from security to economy.
Then there is the crying need to live up to the spirit of parliamentary debate. Even if all members show up in the House during this cycle – which would be something of a novelty given our political elite’s record – whatever exchanges take place should be primarily driven towards enacting legislation in the interest of the country and the people. By turning the assembly into a shouting auditorium the honourable members will do nobody, least of all themselves, any good. The pandemonium experienced in the first session of the KP assembly, for example, is just what should be avoided as we move ahead.
While some of the top leadership has made just the right speeches, there are also incidents that make the opposite case. The new Sindh governor’s chest thumping, for example, and boasts of breaking down the walls of Bilawal House, will only draw aggression in return. At such a critical phase of government-making, such needless confrontation should be avoided, especially since news headlines now suggest PTI is counting on PPP for help in the speaker and deputy speaker election in the national assembly. Similarly, PTI has caused a bit of a stir in Punjab by suggesting that a PML-N forward bloc might still be on the cards; one which would vote for their speaker and deputy speaker candidate, of course. Hopefully, as the nation braces itself for Naya Pakistan, old and divisive politics will make way for new and progressive legislation.
