- Warring PTI and opposition concur on Standing Committees
There is, after all, a sliver of a silver lining on the dark clouds enveloping the country’s parliamentary environment since the July 25 general elections. The reported recent accord between leaderships of ruling PTI and PML-N and PPP on the wastefully delayed formation of parliamentary committees, the backbone of the legislative system, indicates a more mature approach to their working relationship. The welcome news comes after a couple of earlier political compromises, first the appointment of NAB-remanded Shahbaz Sharif as leader of the opposition, and then the most bitter pill for anti-corruption PTI to swallow, the belated, almost grudging, assigning to him of the powerful Chair, Public Accounts Committee, the chief parliamentary financial sentinel. Hopefully, national assembly approval next week will pave the way for formation of 47 committees, 21 to be headed by seasoned government and 19 by veteran opposition nominees, and for neglected legislative functions to commence in earnest. The recent debate in the national assembly during which Shahbaz Sharif forcibly rejected the use or tolerance of slander and abuse in the House, and the Speaker promised to maintain parliamentary decorum, are also positive elements, which if implemented, can promote the harmony needed for serious, well-directed, meaningful work. Small concessions, generous gestures can go a long way…
The real litmus test for the ostensibly changed mindset and attitude will come on January 23 when the finance minister presents his mini-budget in the national assembly, with PM Imran Khan hopefully also putting in a lamentably rare appearance. Previous such ‘encounters’ have resulted in irresponsible scenes of pandemonium, with embarrassing display of hooliganism, vulgar abuse, and other conduct unbecoming of the august House of people’s representatives. It is important that all assembly members, of whatever party, and especially backbenchers, should apply their minds before they kick up a wild ruckus, disrupt House proceedings and cause lasting mutual animosity, for no good reason other than fearful servility and sycophancy of self-serving leaders. Politics and ongoing corruption cases are totally separate issues. The hardliners and ‘spoilers’ on both sides should be cautioned beforehand not to sow dissention, to keep their mouths well-governed, otherwise a rare meetings of minds and fragile agreements too will be short-lived.
