The bull in a China shop

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Ch Nisar acts in an undemocratic manner

Political democracies depend on institution building. If the institutions of a state are mature enough to understand the nuances of democracy, there is always a chance that the system will be relegated to a mere tool and personal agendas would rule the roost. Only carefully curated norms and traditions can lead to establishing a lasting democracy which will consequently deliver the fruits expected from it. But for that to happen, the politicians have the prime responsibility among all people. However, the situation seems in contrast in Pakistan.

The present dispensation is not known for its regard for democratic norms. In its previous stints, the PML-N did try to bypass the authority of the Parliament through an amendment iont he constituting. It also attacked the Supreme Court when it was not happy on one of the cases the court was hearing. Considering this, one can understand that a continued absence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from the parliament for over six months is nothing but a continuation of the party’s old policies. The matters get even worse when the interior minister acts in the house like he owns it. He has recently been seen to act in a totally non-democratic manner, passing remarks, snobbish at times. His disregard for respect of his political opponents is what makes him a highly disliked person. The situation reminds one of the period when the PML-N was in its heyday and heeded to no one. With Shahbaz Sharif already considering going to provincial assembly beneath his status, and Nawaz Sharif following the suit, one wonders if Ch Nisar is acting on his own or on specific orders by his bosses. If it is the former, then his conduct is unworthy of a parliamentarian, much less a minister. If it is the latter, then it seems the PML-N is not yet ready to govern a country whose wretched public wanted to see some change but put their trust and votes in the wrong hands.

The opposition walked out of the proceedings in the house the other day in protest to Ch Nisar’s remarks and his unwillingness to tender apology. His actions remind one the quote ‘a bull in a China shop’, meaning doing more harm than managing the affairs. The PML-N leadership, particularly the prime minister himself, should take notice of how his proxy is being used if they are any interested in calling themselves democratic.