Thanks to Mahmood Khan Achakzai's tested democratic credentials, the maiden session of the 14th National Assembly on Monday had a strident start. The battle for democracy has just begun and this has to be won whatever it takes, he sounded the warning to the newly elected fellow members - even before the house could elect its new Speaker. Given his lifelong struggle against totalitarian rule in the country - his Balochistan-based Pashtun nationalist Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party had boycotted the last general elections presided over by General Musharraf - it's no surprise he broke the queue. Perhaps, he was provoked by the sight of some Musharraf-vintage political faces back again in the National Assembly.
He wanted the members and the soon-to-be-elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker to pledge undivided loyalty to constitutional rule in Pakistan even before the house divided itself into the treasury and opposition benches. And his call did generate the waves. One by one members stood up to vow to preserve and protect Constitution by resisting Bonapartist adventures. That the Achakzai move didn't sit well with former prime minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali was expected - though it remains a fact that the latter lost his job as prime minister for some of his anti-Musharraf observations as he claims. That this house should commit hermit adherence to constitutionalism is something that is easy said than done. Whatever Achakzai wants almost borders on idealism, sharply contrasting with our political culture which can throw up only what it has. Of course, the pent-up feelings against repeated abrogation of constitution are aplenty. And the fact also remains that quite often the forces that help precipitate conditions to 'justify' takeovers are sent invitations from within the walls of elected houses. If Achakazi is irked by the sight of those sent these invitations it is not surprising. He vented his pent-up feelings and members from across the board in the house shared his feeling in a display of natural catharsis. But we have no time to fight the phantoms of our ugly political past. Whatever happened in the past, we must leave it there and move forward. Our best effort should be that it is not repeated. Politics is art of the possible and the present setup has to make do what the May 11 elections have put in its plate. Let there be a Truth and Reconciliation Commission which should help give our inglorious past a decent burial. Many a skeletons reside in cupboards; they should remain there untouched and un-discussed. Shouldn't the past keep creeping back into the working of the new National Assembly, the house would not fall short of capacity and capability to effectively cope with the enormous challenges confronting the country. In case the elected parliament fails to fill the space by coming up to expectations and aspirations of people, the non-elected contenders to do good appear on the scene. And it is also our history that they are warmly received and garlanded. Without going into the merit of Achakzai's denunciation that 'allies of the dictators, had joined the political forces and have reached this august house' one would like to point out that all those who were allowed to contest elections had passed the scrutiny test set by the Election Commission of Pakistan. In their election lies their legitimacy in the eyes of both the law and their voters. Therefore there is logic to Zafarullal Khan Jamali's reaction that the elected members have the mandate and should not be asked to seek 'another mandate'. Not that we are unmindful of the grave violation of the Constitution in the recent past - the case is before the court and shall be decided at that forum. We are for a forward-looking parliament that is not held hostage to its parties' controversial pasts and is committed to obtaining in the country rule of law and constitutionalism. That the newly-sworn members of the National Assembly have made solemn commitment to that effect, the credit is singularly due to PkMAP chief for his call.
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