IDPs & Reforms....More Parliamentary reforms: Democratic Vs Qadri way

IDPs & Reforms.....
More Parliamentary reforms

Democratic Vs Qadri way

On the one hand a military operation is continuing but on the other hand an internal pressure is increasing in which institutions are fighting with each other or divided visibly. IN order to deal with natural or man-made disasters or fallout of any action by the State we have a constitutional body and that is National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). It is devolved body which has its centers in provinces and districts. It has members of government as well as leaders of oppositions of national assembly and senate in it. But it is neither working with full powers in federation nor in any provinces or districts. Our media has no time to raise this issue yet whenever some disaster hits our media started a blame game rather pinpointing the weak NDMA/PDMAs/DDMAs. Issue of IDPs is also related to it. In the absence of a national disaster policy how can we combat with such situations?

The other important issue is about more parliamentary reforms by the parliament.  No doubt, development of a constitutional document is in the credit of Pakistani politicians yet the spirit of that document was destroyed by Zia and Musharaf extensively. Politicians again revive it in 2010 by 18^th amendment yet it needs more rethinking and amendments to make it more democratic, more transparent, more representative and pro-people.  In the absence of such reforms mistrust is increasing day by day. Moreover, there are external and internal forces who want to exploit that situation in their own interests.  Infighting among institutions and gulf within sectors is also a result of comparatively weak elected tiers at federal, provincial and district levels. Although, in 2013, we observed First democratic Transition in last 65 years but it is high time to invest in parliamentary system. A parliamentary system is an answer to infighting provided every institution has to accept parliament as supreme body. Supremacy of parliament does not mean an end to independence of various institutions working in Pakistan. Such perception is a legacy of past marshallah governments.  At June 20^th this month parliament has formed a 32 member parliamentary committee on electoral reforms yet due to Qadari affairs media failed to discuss it which is very bad. Electoral reforms   are one part of parliamentary reforms yet government should establish a commission for parliamentary reforms. Government can start it from post 18^th amendment scenario.  There are numerous issues related to implementation of 18^th amendment and it too needs attention.  Interestingly, after 18^th amendment provinces are constitutionally bound to develop laws regarding devolved subjects yet neither PPP+MQM, PTI+JI, NP+other nor PML (N) did it in Punjab, KPK, Baluchistan and Sindh.  Local government system is not the only sector in this regard. Strengthening of economy and energy sector is a good move yet in the absence of pro-people policies elite and upper middle class will be the only beneficiary by and large. It will create gulf between elected tier and common people. Such gulf can be use or exploit easily by those who have reservations against democratic way.