FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT

Cataclysmic events of the proportion: that the October 8 earthquake has produced not only aftershocks that shake buildings and make people run helter-skelter but also tend to create a whole new regime of socio-political norms.
Under the impact of such a tragedy, the people get united, something we saw in our own society, and forge unity among disparate political elements - which unfortunately has not happened in Pakistan.
A case in point is the refusal of the opposition to attend Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's briefing-cum-Iftar dinner at the Prime Minister secretariat. But was this offer sincere and apolitical, dictated as it should have been by the gravity of the tragic aftermath of killer quake?
The house had met only three hours before Iftar time, more in order to complete its mandated working days obligation than to discuss the obtaining situation in the quake-hit areas and the pace of relief work.
Obviously, the sitting was not expected to be a serious affair. That irked PPPP's Khurshid Shah, who wondered could members justify hefty salaries and allowances when the house meets only on three days and that, too, for very short stints, but gets paid for the full week.
Taking offence to this statement, parliamentary affairs minister Sher Afgan tried to snub Shah, arguing the government is fully engaged in the rescue and relief work and also meeting 130 days a year is the constitutional obligation of all members.
That set off a strong offensive from the other side of the aisle. Chaudhry Nisar Ali said instead of coming to the house to brief members on the pace of work in the quake-hit areas, ministers lose no opportunity to make political capital out of the people's misery.
For instance, much before the government offered helicopter ride to opposition leaders, it went to the press flaunting that offer. The people questioned the legitimacy of the present government, which it is now trying to acquire by showing the opposition riding with it on the same helicopter, he said.
A charade of political unity is being is cast while what is required is that every member should undertake relief and recovery the way he finds practical.
"Stop playing politics with the people's misery, otherwise, there would be severe backlash," he warned.
Aitzaz Ahsan was the next opposition member to blast the government and took on Sher Afgan for "spoiling the atmosphere" of the house. What Khurshid Shah had said is the reality, because by meeting on alternate days and charging the exchequer for the whole week is a "fraud committed against the people".
"If the government has no agenda why don't you take up our motions." He also questioned the government's refusal to accept Indian offer of helicopters, asserting "helicopters have no religion...People are dying".
He also gave a cheque of Rs200,000 to the speaker, saying instead of hosting his traditional Iftar dinner, he would like to contribute toward relief work for the quake-hit people.
"The Prime Minister should contribute to the relief fund instead of hosting the Iftar dinner. We will not attend that dinner."
Then, he suggested a meeting of the whole house be convened, which should become the venue of the briefing by the Prime Minister and his experts. Mahmood Khan Achakzai elaborated that suggestion and asked the minister concerned to convey the opposition's point of view to the Prime Minister.
Under Rule 225(B) of the Rules of Conduct and Business of the National Assembly it is within the powers of the house to convert its regular sitting into a meeting of the committee of the whole where other than its members can come and give briefing.
The move would not only prove the government and the opposition stand united in meeting the aftermath of the grim tragedy but also go a long way in establishing the supremacy of parliament, they said. The dinner at the Prime Minister house is out, the briefing is in, Aitzaz Ahsan declared.
Sher Afgan responded by rejecting the opposition's demand that briefing be held in the National Assembly, saying the Prime Minister house is a national platform and not an office of a certain political party.
He also made a fun of the manner Aitzaz Ahsan offered his contribution. As the debate was going on, leader of the house Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain came in.
Briefing will be held as scheduled, he said, adding the opposition is welcome, otherwise, they can be briefed on some other time. By now, it was the time for the briefing-cum-dinner invitation. Deputy Speaker Sardar Yaqub promptly adjourned the house to meet on Friday.
For the National Assembly, which is meeting these days only to complete its "idaat" period another day was done.