National Assembly adopts 'pro-democracy' resolution

The National Assembly Monday passed a resolution in favour of democracy with a thumping majority. It was moved by Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali. Opposition parties Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People's Party Sherpao (PPP-S) and PML-Q Like-minded staged a walkout from the House during a vote on the resolution, as the amendments proposed by the PML-N were not made part of the resolution.
However, opposition party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) fully endorsed the resolution. The PML-N resorted to delaying tactics with a view to incorporate amendments proposed by it, without any success. A amendment," The House reiterates that sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah and authority to be exercised through the people and the Parliament is the repository of the collective wisdom of the people of Pakistan," moved by Federal Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar was incorporated in the resolution. But a similar amendment proposed by the PML-N was not considered.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the House on the adoption of the resolution with an absolute majority and said that Supreme Court had called him and that he would appear before it on January 19. The Prime Minister made it clear that this resolution was neither a threat to any institution nor a fresh vote of confidence, but it was for strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions. "We are trying to strengthen the parliament," he said.
He said "we are not the creator of NRO; those who have created it are sitting abroad and are talking to return to Pakistan. If there is a life punishment for public representatives, then why no punishment for those who are enjoying life abroad?
Galani said: "After becoming the Prime Minister before taking oath my first words in my maiden speech in the House were: 'Release the judges'." We struggled; we were beaten and went behind the bars for the restoration of judiciary and now we are dubbed as not sincere and loyal to judiciary and the country. "We need no certificate to prove our patriotism." "We will protect the parliament and democratic institutions," the Prime Minster said.
He urged that politicians should protect their "species", who were committed to democracy and their parties' and ideologies. He said he did not need to seek a fresh vote of confidence and "if someone doesn't like my face, they should move a no-confidence motion."
"We have not come to the assembly under any threat or duress and we are not against any institution. We have not come here to protect ourselves," the Prime Minster said. According to him, if there is no democracy then all the Parliamentarian will have to go together. "Nobody will go in separate boxes, every one will go in one box," he said.
He said the PML-N had no intention to support the resolution from the very start. The resolution was not presented earlier because the opposition was demanding that it should be presented on January 16. ANP chief Asfandyar Khan Wali also thanked all the members, particularly those from JUI-F and FATA, for supporting the resolution. He said, "the country is passing through a diffluent situation. We do not want confrontation among the institutions. This resolution is for all institutions."
Earlier, PML-N before staging a walkout from the House, strongly opposed the resolution, arguing democracy could not be protected through resolutions but it could only flourish through good governance and respect to all state institutions. Speaking on amendments floated by his party, leader of opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said he believed that there was no threat to democracy and if the government felt any "threat then the opposition reiterates that democratic process should further be strengthened."
For the purpose, he said, it was necessary that the amendments moved by his party had to be accepted. The House rejected PML-N's proposed amendment (A) for substitution in para-3 of the resolution, which says "and in this regard (this House) calls upon the government to immediately implement, in letter and spirit, all previous resolutions of parliament and all decisions of the superior judiciary and to ensure that all administrative actions are strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law, for smooth functioning of all state institutions".
Nisar said: "If the government wants opposition's support for the resolution, then it is necessary that it should be made obligatory for the government to implement all previous parliamentary resolutions and verdicts of the apex court."
He said it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister would appear before Supreme Court in a contempt case. He added that the issuance of a contempt notice to him was due to government's own misdeeds that ultimately led to the situation. He further said the opposition had repeatedly assured the government that it would not support any unconstitutional move despite the fact that the government had lost it right to remain in power due to its failure and incompetence. Nisar said the opposition was not moving a vote of confidence in the House just because it did not have the required numbers. As soon the opposition acquired the required number of votes, it would table a no trust motion against the prime minister.
Nisar also stated that the resolution passed by the House in favour of democracy was 'hollow'. "The opposition will not be part of any move which is meant at providing a cover to corruption of "one person" and sending a negative message to other state institutions", he said, adding that the parliament should strengthen the democratic process and the constitution not personalities.
He also deplored the rejection of amendment (C) by the House, which stated that "the House emphasises that the best guarantee for the strengthening of democracy is the successful resolution of the problems of the people of Pakistan by democratic institutions through dedicated, selfless and corruption-free services for the welfare of the common man and in this regard calls upon the government to discharge its constitutional obligations and provide relief to the suffering masses by devoting all energies and efforts to improve governance, eliminate gas and electricity load-shedding, control inflation, create employment opportunities and put the country back on the path of self-reliant economic growth." Ahsan Iqbal also spoke against the resolution. From PML-N, the amendments were moved by PML-N lawmaker Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq.