Murree Declaration The signing of the Murree Declaration by PPPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif is being interpreted differently by men of wisdom and intellect like all such documents of political significance. Some have termed it as an instrument potent enough to provide a major boost to democracy and political stability in the country. Others look at it with reservations about the two leaders’ ability to persist with the partnership and to rescue the nation from its political, economic and judicial quagmire. Yet some others take it as a document of pretence and stratagem. Irrespective of these articulations, the Murree Declaration represents a new political culture in the country as it has turned yesteryears’ bitter foes into today’s partners. Political opponents, however, do not see a long-lasting relationship between the two parties for what is said ‘their ideological contradictions’. The coalition of the two major parliamentary parties is certainly a good omen for the nation that is caught up in the cobweb of terrorism, poverty, unemployment and insecurity besides crisis of atta, water, electricity and gas shortage. Politics, revenge and ambition make strange bedfellows. The Murree Declaration is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional document. It’s not only a pledge to strengthen democracy and constitutionalism in the country, but also to address the constitutional distortions, establish rule of law and ensure public security. It reflects the resolve on the part of PPPP and PML(N) to restore Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges sacked by President Musharraf with the imposition of emergency in the country on November three last within 30 days of the National Assembly’s session and manifests a businesslike approach to deal with the presidency at least for the period of the new setup’s consolidation. PPPP co-chairman Asif Zardari, who had demonstrated wisdom and skill to channel the public anger aroused as a result of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination towards national reconciliation has been able to soften PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif to let his party join the federal cabinet and his party men take oath of office as ministers from President Musharraf despite his rigid stance against him and vows to avenge his removal from the office of the Prime Minister on October 12, 1999 as well as the subsequent jail ordeal. The restoration of the judges has, however, emerged as the most contentious issue between PPPP-PML(N) coalition and President Musharraf. There are obviously divergent views in the two camps on the issue. Both sides are, however, weighing their options and modalities in respect of their respective positions. While the constitutional experts of the PPPP-PML(N) coalition insist that the judges can be restored through a resolution of the National Assembly, their counterparts in the President’s camp are of the firm opinion that it can be done only through a constitutional amendment to be passed by both Houses of Parliament by two thirds majority. President Musharraf held indepth consultations with his constitutional experts including Mr Sharifuddin Pirzada and Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum on the issue on Monday. The meeting also evaluated the Murree Declaration in different aspects and contexts. No matter what opinion the two sides hold on the issue, it’s quite evident that the President’s step of November three last has not been indemnified by Parliament and as such it has no constitutional value whatsoever. The Supreme Court that has validated the emergency through an order cannot be taken as an alternative to Parliament. Besides, the apex court’s validation is also subject to the indemnification by the legislature. The President’s constitutional guru, who has a record of propounding some magical constitutional provision to help him wriggle out of the crisis in the past, doesn’t seem to have one this time. It’s hoped that the President will not be led to the great fall since he seems to be on the edge of the precipice already. President Musharraf’s vow that he will never resort to article 58(2)B to dislodge the new National Assembly is certainly a welcome development. It’s also encouraging that he is mindful of the fact that confrontation between the newly elected National Assembly and the Presidency will be disastrous for the country. That’s what is expected of a man, who according to him has striven to uphold the national interests throughout his life both as a soldier and as head of state. It’s difficult to comprehend at this stage whether or not the PPPP and PML(N) would like to develop working relationship with the President in the days to come. There is, however, time for reconciliation as confrontation will only plunge the country into deeper crisis. While the coalition partners need to shun acrimonious tendencies to create positive environment for governance, it’s equally important for President Musharraf should also not entertain the illusion that Pakistan will collapse after him. It’s rather time for him to ponder and evaluate the pros and cons of his insistence about having been genuinely elected since the electoral college that had elected him for five years had already outlived its life and was dissolved soon afterwards. There is certainly no moral basis of the election even if it has some procedural value. And the verdict pronounced loud and clear by the masses in the February 18 general elections has hardly left any ambiguity about the flawed contention on this count. The rejection of the party that ruled the country under his wings for past five years obviously has a message for the President. It’s, therefore, pertinent that no effort should be made to circumvent the will of the people as evident from the February 18 polls. The nation has many a challenge staring in its face that it would like to see resolved urgently by the new democratically elected government. Terrorism, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, high cost of living, lack of social welfare especially in the field of education and health and shortage of water, power and gas are obviously the serious issues demanding urgent and comprehensive attention of the government. The people have been groaning under the heels of these problems for a long time now. Irrespective of the claims of economic turnaround by Pervez Musharraf-Shaukat Aziz duo, there was no trickle down effect to help the poor, needy and the deprived segments of society. It’s, however, a matter of satisfaction that the PPPP-PML(N)-ANP coalition partners are determined to find solution to the menace of terrorism and militancy through dialogue. History of the tribal areas manifests the fact that the tribesmen are more willing to bow through persuasion rather than by force. It’s, therefore, hoped that the new government will pursue the carrot and stick policy to deal with the menace on permanent basis. Posted 6 years ago on 12 Mar 2008 10:26 #
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 08:45:13 +0000
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