Adil Najam
Pakistan seems to be in a whole new phase of ‘politics by References.’
The speaker of the National Assembly has forwarded the disqualification reference against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, which was filed by opposition members of National Assembly Thursday in the chamber of Speaker National Assembly.
The opposition members in the reference have demanded of the speaker to send it to Election Commission within 30 days. A reference, signed by 31 opposition members, stated that prime minister is not eligible for Assembly membership under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution.
According to a charge framed in the reference, prime minister had caused stock market crisis through his front man Arif Habib and earned the money by illegal means. Privatization of Steel Mills also mentioned in the reference and stated that the verdict of the Supreme Court in this connection is sufficient for disqualification of the prime minister.
Addressing a news conference in Parliament cafeteria after filing the reference, opposition members Liaquat Baloch, Khurshid Shah and Khwaja Asif said that speaker is bound to forward the reference to the Election Commission within 30 days. They demanded the speaker to send the reference against Shaukat Aziz with the same swiftness with which he sent the reference against Imran Khan to Election Commission.
I must say, I do not like any of these references. Mostly because I do not like the idea of ‘Politics by References.’
Individual references could well have merit and as a political tool they are perfectly legitimate. However, what this new “Politics by References” signifies is an urge to use this particular tool because other political tools are either unavailable or have become defunct. In being so, this “Politics by References” is an indicator of an assault on politics. Not just ‘democratic politics’, but politics.
When political processes and options are restricted, political operatives (whether they are elected or not) find alternative means by which to indulge in politics. At the very extreme these ‘alternative means’ are violent. That is why the democratic political space must never be constricted.
In general, it is better for politics to be played out in the arena of public will and public voice, rather than through the legalities and technicalities of references. However, when the politics of public voice is constrained, it is then that the politics of technicalities takes center stage.
I have been watching Aaj TV for the last 5 minutes and they have been following CJP’s trip:
http://www.jumptv.com/en/channel/aajtv/
I don’ think they will provide uninterrupted live coverage, but they’ll definitely give better coverage than ARY and Geo.
Who are we kidding? This is a country where an Army general is clinging to power as a legitimate representative of the people, and we are talking about the validity of these references. Again, please remember the real issue. The only real question is if he will leave the Army now, and if he will have presidential elections through newly elected assemblies or not. These 2 questions will determine the future course of Pakistan. Everything else is a noise created to distract the people of this country.
Cruman:
I think an impeachment motion against Mush will certainly create some ‘shughal.’ But impeachment requires a 2/3 majority in the two houses of the parliament, and Mush will most probably survive it. Therefore, I don’t think it will force him to dissolve the assemblies, though it might put some extra psychological pressure on him.
A much better card in the hands of MMA is its ability to dissolve the NWFP and Baluchistan assemblies to prevent Mush from getting elected from the present assemblies. This will also clearly show whether MMA is serious in its opposition or whether it’s just doing noora-kushti. In the event that this idea is popularized enough, the latter case could also create trouble for Musharraf abroad as the Americans might start asking why the Mullahs (who supposedly hate him as he is the only hurdle between Pakistan and extremism) are protecting him rather than blocking his reelection.
Nihari, are those the only options?
Excellent point Adil. I hope you will elaborate it in your News columns. Again, I wish you also post those here for discussion.