A NEED FOR SHARING RESPONSIBILITY
The issues of bad governance have always hit Pakistan hard. Pakistan itself being a victim of terrorism along struggling with its domestic political system has faced drastic consequences. President General Musharraf era was characterized with increased centralization which gave a great set back to democracy, Institutionalization and egalitarianism. In this context the February 2008 elections gave a new hope to the people of Pakistan that democracy would bring prosperity to them. As a result despite the wave of terrorism the voting turn out was 44.9 percent. It was first time in the history of Pakistan that Prime Minister was chosen unanimously by the parliament. People gave the mandate to the political parties in such a way that they were required to collaborate with each other in the spirit of national integration and reconciliation. Pakistan People Party formed a collation government in the centre as well as in the provinces. But the commitment by the two main stream parties PPPP and PML-N on the issue of judicial crisis was not fulfilled and as a protest PML-N resigned from the federal cabinet. After the restoration of judges which was the core bone of contention between the two parties the PPPP invited PML-N to rejoin the federal government but it was not accepted. On the other hand Punjab government was dismissed and Governor Rule was imposed on Punjab thus derailing the democratic process in the province which represents almost sixty percent of the population of Pakistan. After the restoration of CM Punjab, PML-N invited PPPP to team up in the Punjab government which after some reservations is accepted by PPPP. Political parties are the carriers of demand and the backbone for a stable political system. A strong and viable federation requires mutual cooperation and accommodating behavior incorporated with the norms of shared responsibility on part of the political parties to cater the incoming issues for sustaining the fragile democratic system. Pakistan is going through its most complex phase defined by external and internal threats. In this respect instead of face saving both the main stream parties should share the responsibility of governance both at the federal and provincial level. The call for All Parties Conference is a fine proposal, but it would not bear fruitful results unless and until political parties are sincere in addressing the issues by taking part in governance. The following issues must be addressed immediately.
Address the constitutional differences specifically the matter of 58(2)(b).
To ensure reconciliation measures in the letter and spirit.
PML- N to rejoin federal cabinet and PPPP to have a cordial working relationship in Punjab.
Steps to ensure inter-provincial harmony by exercising confidence building measures.
To reduce trust deficit among the provinces and federal government.
Address the Balochistan issue instantly by decreasing the feeling of deprivation.
Consensus among the political parties about the operational mechanism to be used in the Northern areas of Pakistan.
Irrespective of the ideological differences it is a high time that national interest must supersede the self interest. Political parties must act as a viable institution to protect the interest of the citizens of Pakistan by assuring unity and national integration.
The issues of bad governance have always hit Pakistan hard. Pakistan itself being a victim of terrorism along struggling with its domestic political system has faced drastic consequences. President General Musharraf era was characterized with increased centralization which gave a great set back to democracy, Institutionalization and egalitarianism. In this context the February 2008 elections gave a new hope to the people of Pakistan that democracy would bring prosperity to them. As a result despite the wave of terrorism the voting turn out was 44.9 percent. It was first time in the history of Pakistan that Prime Minister was chosen unanimously by the parliament. People gave the mandate to the political parties in such a way that they were required to collaborate with each other in the spirit of national integration and reconciliation. Pakistan People Party formed a collation government in the centre as well as in the provinces. But the commitment by the two main stream parties PPPP and PML-N on the issue of judicial crisis was not fulfilled and as a protest PML-N resigned from the federal cabinet. After the restoration of judges which was the core bone of contention between the two parties the PPPP invited PML-N to rejoin the federal government but it was not accepted. On the other hand Punjab government was dismissed and Governor Rule was imposed on Punjab thus derailing the democratic process in the province which represents almost sixty percent of the population of Pakistan. After the restoration of CM Punjab, PML-N invited PPPP to team up in the Punjab government which after some reservations is accepted by PPPP. Political parties are the carriers of demand and the backbone for a stable political system. A strong and viable federation requires mutual cooperation and accommodating behavior incorporated with the norms of shared responsibility on part of the political parties to cater the incoming issues for sustaining the fragile democratic system. Pakistan is going through its most complex phase defined by external and internal threats. In this respect instead of face saving both the main stream parties should share the responsibility of governance both at the federal and provincial level. The call for All Parties Conference is a fine proposal, but it would not bear fruitful results unless and until political parties are sincere in addressing the issues by taking part in governance. The following issues must be addressed immediately.
Address the constitutional differences specifically the matter of 58(2)(b).
To ensure reconciliation measures in the letter and spirit.
PML- N to rejoin federal cabinet and PPPP to have a cordial working relationship in Punjab.
Steps to ensure inter-provincial harmony by exercising confidence building measures.
To reduce trust deficit among the provinces and federal government.
Address the Balochistan issue instantly by decreasing the feeling of deprivation.
Consensus among the political parties about the operational mechanism to be used in the Northern areas of Pakistan.
Irrespective of the ideological differences it is a high time that national interest must supersede the self interest. Political parties must act as a viable institution to protect the interest of the citizens of Pakistan by assuring unity and national integration.
Maryam Azam & Yawar Hayat Shah
