The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML(N)) has decided to adopt the option of collective resignations from parliament in order to compel the government to hold early elections. The PML(N) leaders term this move as constitutional and democratic. However, their statements have brought severe criticism from the PPP stalwarts who think this move is unconstitutional and a direct attack on democracy.
The PML(N)’s announcement of launching an anti-government movement in October, its rally in Lahore, later a grand public meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the recent resignation of PPP MNA Shah Mehmood Qureshi have already heated up the political environment. However, the PML(N)’s threat of collective resignation reflects its desperation to bring down the government before the Senate elections in March 2012 where the PPP anticipates gaining a fair majority.
This move, if followed through, could nevertheless end up embroiling the Senate elections in uncertainty. Now we have to see whether there is any such provision in the constitution that allows holding the Senate elections in the absence of representation from the largest province and if there is no such constitutional provision, how would the government fill the void created in Punjab by the PML(N)’s resignations. In such a scenario, the government thinks it can resort to bye-elections in Punjab.
The contradictions among the political parties are becoming severer with announcements of long marches, sit-ins, rallies and processions against the present government.
MISBAH SALEEM
Karachi
