Daily Times

The audacity, hypocrisy and double standards displayed by 14 senators with respect to the Senate Chairman’s Vote of ‘No Confidence Motion’ was a crude insult to my intellect, education and unwavering adherence to democratic values. How dare this political elite sit on TV screens day in and day out and lecture us on every aspect of morality, display superficial desire to work in public interest, propound democratic norms and what not? How can they command our respect? Undoubtedly, this has happened in the past but it is 2019, the digital age where all actions are on record, so with great disbelief the politicized citizens of Pakistan call out and denounce all 14 Senators on their undignified, deplorable, disgraceful conduct and disservice to democratic evolution. Initially, 64 of you pay homage to your party masters by standing up for the joint opposition’s no confidence motion, and then14 of you vote against it in secret cowardice and expect us to laugh with you at this political circus! My head sank in shame as I watched you 14 make a sheer mockery of the entire political system in broad day light. Youdis honoured the Parliament. Citizens who believe in democracy feel cheated by your repulsive undemocratic behaviour as you try to strut ahead without an ounce of remorse.

For perspective, the constitution branches out into three pillars of state; executive, legislature and judiciary. The Parliament of Pakistan (legislature) comprises the National Assembly (returning constituency based MNAs) and the upper house representing the federation i.e. The Senate of Pakistan – comparative counterparts; Senate of USA and House of Lords (UK). Ever since the Life Peerages Act 1958 and House of Lords Act 1999 (amongst others) the Lords boasts a sophisticated collection of the greatest minds, talent, specialists and achievers in Great Britain who vehemently contribute to the legislative progress. Whereas the 100 member Senate in USA (based on equitable proportional representation i.e. 2 from each of the 50 states) serves as the strongest legislative upper house in the world; a testament to democracy, a mouth piece of the people residing in the American federation. American Senators decide the fate of Presidential nominees for Cabinet positions, whilst controlling the legislative and financial agendas. World over, the Senate (and its prestigious members) is regarded in the highest possible esteem, as an embodiment of rich traditions, finesse, and the zenith of caliber the political class has on offer.

Therefore to guard the sanctity of this august house in Pakistan the miraculous journey from 64 to 50 in support of withdrawal of Mr. Sanjrani is of paramount concern. The vote in itself is a democratic option available to the opposition. The lot of you should have had the courage to opt out from the start if you genuinely were not there just for self-serving agendas. Instead, you would cross the political floor in secret yet support the party in manifest and reap dividends. That is conduct unbecoming of a Senator and the definition of hypocrisy! You must answer, you are there as our national representatives hence accountable to the electorate. Be mindful that you enjoy your titles at our (indirect) behest not because you are barons only accountable to a despot.

The more we desire to change the more we remain stagnant as a nation. If, the opposition party leaders wish to save (some) face, this can serve as a moment of reckoning, embarrass the 14, they are wide open to disqualification via floor crossing

Politically; PTI rejoices as the Rehbar Committee of the joint opposition suffers a massive set back on first execution. PTI’s narrative of labeling these efforts as a ploy to save looted money and subvert the democratic process gains acceptability, as money making is again at the center of the political debate and it is logically more convincing for the public to believe that such turncoat politicians are just in it to make a quick buck and do not care for the masses. Consequently, any momentum for dislodging the majority in Balochistan or Punjab is lost. The Maulana’s Million March threat suddenly seems inflated as ideological differences already make joining such a measure a red line for progressive political players. DG ISPR rightly snubbed the shell shocked Mr. Bizenjo by stating that the ‘tendency to bring entire democratic process into disrepute for petty political gains doesn’t serve democracy’. Mr. Sharif is in jail and Madam Maryam is being spiteful. Chairperson Bilawal has been doing reasonably well. He earlier nominated Senate Chairman Sanjrani as ‘a representation of Balochistan in the federation’ and a masterstroke against ‘Zia’s opening batsman’. Then came the debacle; Khan’s anti-corruption drive, Mr. Zardari’s ordeal and suddenly the crusade for the rights of the Baloch was abandoned and Sanjrani’s removal was to be the contemporary sought-after ‘democratic revenge’ – this vengeance goal-post sure keeps changing like the weather in London! The PPP is (read was) dubbed as the incumbent political kingmakers but if the party whips cannot muster a vote when desperately needed it amounts to eroding political-capital and prestige in the eyes of citizens. Karma does sting and so shall you reap. Elaboration of Article 226 of the Constitution (secret ballot)reads that ‘the voter would not be compelled by any authority… so that he might vote without fear or favour and free from any apprehension of its disclosure against his will’. The flagrant duplicity of actions of 14 Senators (within hours) helps ascertain that clearly this was not about ‘conscience’ rather the lack of one.

The more we desire to change the more we remain stagnant as a nation. If, the opposition party leaders wish to save (some) face, this can serve as a moment of reckoning, embarrass the 14,they are wide open to disqualification via floor crossing. There must be immediate damning consequences whereby the masters must roast the sellable flock and expose all names to the public. Make amends, set a precedent, take the moral high ground, act swiftly on what you preach and disgrace the 14 by calling out, disbanding and humiliating them in front of the public or is the moral degradation so deep rooted till the top that they shall still let these 14 members re-join them for their dinners and pretend all is well in the lala land? I dare both House(s) of Sharif and Bhutto to take a leaf out of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Book where he demonstrated grace, courage and foresight by expelling the 20 odd KPK MPAs that deserted PTI in the earlier Senate elections. Alternatively; the culprits must come forward and resign as they clearly are not in line with respective party leadership(s) and only there for the perks and privileges enjoyed by a Senator. Admittedly, this alternative is wishful thinking as turncoats are labeled as such for a reason. It is now solely up to the masters of these turncoats, as the electorate and historians anxiously look upon them to punish ‘the 14 Senators without a political conscience (Zameer)’.

The writer has a LLM from Queen Mary University of London