From A Ringside Seat: 'Parliament's supermacy': government seeks to send message across through resolution

The PPP-led government with the support of its coalition partners wants to give clear message to other state institutions through National Assembly resolution that Parliament is supreme and only it has the authority to bring any change or remove the government.
The government wants to convey this message at a time when it is not having smooth relations with the military establishment as well as the judiciary. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani made it clear on the floor of the National Assembly that no other force than the Parliament could change the government.
He also made it clear that they did not come to the Assembly to garner support for NRO, adding " even we didn't introduce it, but we are here to make it clear that no other institution should dictate its terms to the parliament. We neither came into power to become martyrs nor beg to stay, as our motto is to serve the people."
It was also observed in Friday's proceeding of the National Assembly that the PPP government has full support of Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) for the resolution. However, Muttahida Qaumi Movement did not give clear signal to the government regarding the resolution. However, MQM said that it is in favor of the democratic system and it would take final decision on Monday after consultations with its legal experts.
The ANP is very clear in this regard. It is said ANP has played main role in drafting the resolution. The ANP did not want to mention the names of the prime minister and the president in the resolution for vote of confidence. So the name of President and Prime Minster were deleted from the resolution before presenting it in the House. ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan tabled the resolution in the National Assembly after suspending the routine Business. Before tabling the resolution, Asfandyar Wali went to the seat of the prime minister and discussed some aspects of it with the PM.
The resolution, which will be voted on Monday stated: "This House believes that the present democratic dispensation‚ which is about to complete four years‚ came in to power as a result of great sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan." The House reiterates the belief of the democratic forces that the future of Pakistan and well being of its people lies in the continuation and strengthening of democratic institutions and constitutionalism for the resolution of national issues‚ strengthening of the federation and empowering the people of Pakistan. The House believes that for the furtherance of democracy and democratic institutions the basic constitutional principle of trichotomy of powers must be fully respected and adhered to and all state institutions must strictly function within the limits as bestowed upon them by the Constitution.
The House reiterates that sovereignty lies with the people of Pakistan and the parliament is the Ameen of the collective wisdom of the people. This House endorses and supports the efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening democracy and reposes full confidence and trust in them."
The PML-N did not strongly opposed the resolution as just before tabling it opposition leader in the House Chaudhry Nisar Ali said that he is going for prayer and his party would decide on Monday about the resolution. The PML-N and other opposition parties including Jamait Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and PPP-Sharpao did not have strength to block or reject the resolution during voting in the House. The PPP-government and its coalition partner have enough strength to get the resolution through from the National Assembly.
The opposition parties have total 104 members (PMl-N-91, JUI-F-8, Likeminded of PMl-Q-4 and PPP-S-1) while PPP and its coalition partners have more than 230 members. So it is very difficult for the opposition parties to block the resolution.
The resolution is in favor of strengthening the democratic institutions so it would be a negative move, if any party opposes it. The political parties are ready to unite for their won interests in the name of supremacy and strengthening of the parliament, but they are not united for the interest of the people and to give them any relief.