From A Ringside Seat: MPs' interest in debate over Karachi situation fades away

At a time when killing frenzy is at its peak in the financial hub of the country, Karachi, and Quetta where innocent people are being killed on ethic, social and sectarian grounds, our politicians are busy in mustering public support for the upcoming general elections instead of taking serious steps to stop the bloodbath.
Though the issue was on the agenda of the National Assembly proceedings, the debate on prevailing law and order situation in the country was neglected as it has no importance. Leadership of all major political parties enthusiastically participated in the debate on the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, during first two sitting of the 47th session of the NA. MQM and ANP also staged walk out from both upper and lower houses in protest against targeted killings in Karachi. Army operation was also demanded in the Karachi by some parliamentarians.
The enthusiasm of the parliamentarians gradually died down with the passage of time and finally the issue remained unattended during Thursday's proceeding of the lower house, proving that political parties are not interested in resolving the serious issue, as no one from the house raised voice against negligent behaviour as far as Karachi and Balochistan law and order situation is concerned.
Main leadership of major parliamentary parties was also not present in the house. Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan remained absent from the very first day of the current session of the House. Most of the member of PML-N were also absent. Similarly, leadership of other parties, including JUI-F, ANP and MQM was also not present in the house.
Unfortunately, vacant seats of the parliament depict that our leadership is giving importance to other political gains putting aside the country's security concerns. Though Prime Minster Raja Pervez Ashraf joined the proceeding of the NA on its fourth day, he did not deliver speech on the floor of the house. He remained there only for fifteen minutes and left the House. During this time, around 5-10 politicians, carrying applications in hands, surrounded him putting aside the decorum of the house. Chairperson of the House, Yasmeen Rehman repeatedly announced that the members must maintain decorum but they did not leave the PM till he left the house.
The thing that really grabbed attention of this scribe was the cold response of the PM to Ali Musa Gilani when he approached to welcome him. Though , it was not strange in normal routine but on reviewing the recent abrupt changes in relationship between former prime mister and PPP's senior leadership after Yousuf Raza Gilani's disqualification, one could conclude that thing are not going well between Gilani family and the government.