FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT: MPs express solidarity with Prime Minister

The members of the National Assembly on Monday showed complete solidarity with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and it appeared that they did not pay any heed to the Apex Court's charges framed against the premier.
The opposition as well as treasury members felicitated the Prime Minister on appearing twice before the Supreme Court of Pakistan on contempt proceedings against him in compliance with the court order of January 16, 2012.
Today (Monday) when Prime Minister Gilani entered the Lower House of the Parliament, the members welcomed him with the thumping of desks and some giving standing ovation. The scene was so delightful that it appeared as if Prime Minister was receiving good wishes on election.
It was observed that the members of main opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) including Sheikh Rohail Asghar, Chaudhry Birjees Thair, Abid Sher Ali and other went to the seat of the Prime Minister and showed solidarity with him. Similarly, four to five women parliamentarians of PML-N also went to the Prime Minister and expressed solidarity on appearing before the Supreme Court of Pakistan twice being premier. This should be the spirit of parliamentary democracy, if we are sincere to give people due place in the society and above all in the comity of nations.
Opposition member Aftab Ahmed Sherpao of PPP-S went to the Prime Minster and embraced him. While on the floor of the House, he said, "I express solidarity with the Prime Minister on appearing before the Supreme Court."
Even Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi who was chairing the House also expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister and said," I appreciate the Prime Minister for appearing before the Supreme Court twice which shows he respects courts and the rule of law."
Before leaving the House, Prime Minister Gilani walked towards Leader of Opposition in the House Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and shook hand with him. The Prime Minister had a small chat with the Opposition Leader putting his hand around his back showing more closeness.
The prevailing feeling was that the parliamentarians were articulating for the supremacy of the Parliament. The members were upbeat that they should make efforts for the supremacy of the parliament so that other institutions (Apex Court and Military) must work within their constitutional ambit.
The main opposition party PML-N which was strongly criticizing the Prime Minister in the House, today (Monday) suddenly changed its attitude and expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister on presenting himself before the Supreme Court.
It was observed that Prime Minister Gilani was full of confidence and did not give impression of being under any pressure. During the proceedings, the Prime Minister responded to the members with full confidence. The Prime Minister was not looking worried.
However, the importance of the Prime Minister increased in the House for appearing twice before the Apex Court. The PML-N which was criticizing the Prime Minister in last two session of the National Assembly today (Monday) gave him importance and expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister.
Many members of the House embraced, shook hands with the Prime Minister and expressed solidarity with him on appearing before the Apex Court.
It seems that the members of the National Assembly are not giving importance to the decision of the Apex Court if it convicts the Prime Minister on contempt of court.