Daily Times

Following the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court in the contempt of court case against the former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the federal cabinet’s approval of the Contempt of Court Bill 2012 seems like a strategic move by the government to prevent a repeat of that debacle in future. The bill provides immunity from contempt of court to the president, prime minister, ministers and chief ministers. The government intends to move the bill in parliament as soon as possible, but it remains to be seen whether it will be in a position to have it passed, given that its prime minister is potentially besieged by the Supreme Court’s continuing insistence on his writing the letter to the Swiss authorities that proved Gilani’s nemesis. The bill, if passed, is intended to provide legislation to replace the defunct Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003, on which the court relied partially to convict Gilani. It would also allow criticism of judicial verdicts made in good faith, and without bringing the judiciary into disrespect, without attracting contempt proceedings. The second decision of the cabinet was the endorsement of the decision of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) to reopen the Ground Lines of Communication through Pakistan for Afghanistan. With worldwide appreciation of the reopening of the routes pouring in, certain opposition parties are predictably vocal in their criticism of the decision. While former president Pervez Musharraf has added his approval to the international positive responses, the PTI, PML-N and PML-LM have opposed the move. As the truckers prepare to roll, there is a sense of relief in governmental circles, who have finally found the courage to grasp the nettle firmly, a belated recognition of the reopening being in Pakistan’s fundamental interests. Considering its substantial dependence on western countries vis-à-vis loans and aid, the growing hostility of the US towards Pakistan had triggered fears of international isolation of the country. Being a pariah would have been the last straw to push the country into the cul de sac of international irrelevance, further worsening its political and strategic leverage, not to mention its economy. The proposal to bring in a constitutional amendment to allow dual nationality expatriate Pakistanis to run in elections was also approved by the cabinet. As tabled by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the amendment would extend this right to expatriates whose patriotism has of late been questioned by none other than the Supreme Court, which has seen fit to suspend the membership of parliament of a handful of such elected members. The opposition is not quiet about this issue either. Despite the PML-LM MNA Kashmala Tariq’s criticism of the proposed amendment, arguing that it would encourage the promotion of a ‘foreign agenda’, it is to be taken into consideration that despite holding dual nationality, the financial contribution of expatriates to Pakistan is noteworthy, and their patriotism remains above reproach.

The debilitating countrywide energy deficit was also reviewed in the cabinet meeting, where different plans to boost power generation and better management of load shedding were discussed. Supply of gas and oil needed for more generation of electricity was promised, and all means of enhancing electricity production were analysed and reviewed.

While the reopening of the NATO supply routes may ensure that Pakistan is not thrust into isolation and worse, the legislative agenda approved by the cabinet seems more the triumph of hope over reality. It remains a big, so far unresolved question whether the government, the ruling PPP and its coalition allies have the time and space to forge majority approval of some legislation and a consensus to garner a two thirds majority in both houses for the envisaged constitutional amendments. *