Was the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani being kept in darkness on important legislation? Wouldn't you think of this when no one less than the Prime Minister has to intervene to defer the two bills in a row during the last two days and that too after introduction in the House? The reason was simple, the opposition.
And this was not all on otherwise a dull and boring day barring the last hour wherein opposition leader reminded the government of committing even more serious violations of the Constitution by not appointing the judges. Who could have been more aware than the leader of the Opposition Chaduahry Nisar Ali Khan and his party as to what could be the consequences of taking head on with the judiciary.
The warning by him that "fulfil the constitutional and legal obligations by implementing the court decision else it becomes too late and you are made to be in the line (Queue)" was a clear indication that which way the things have been moving. This was very patently evident from his speech that his party, despite having desire to bring the accounts of judiciary should be brought to purview of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), had no sympathy for the government on the issue. Do you doubt? Let's read what he said on the floor of the House about the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms having deadlock on the issue of judges' appointment.
"The parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms is being used for personal desires of rulers, but the PML-N will not become a part of this committee". What he said after was even more targeted that attempts are being made to bulldoze the proceedings of constitutional reforms committee during the last three days.
The committee is in dispute recently on appointment of judges and all eyes have been fixed on the meeting taking place between Prime Minister and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. This apparently seems that the government wants to delay the appointments of judges till the finalisation of the constitutional package and its approval from the parliament while the opposition wants the appointments before. Let's see what happens in the meeting at the Prime Minister House.
Coming back to issue of the government retreat on Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) bill deferred largely because the government did not have enough numbers in the House after the opposition to it by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Everyone had justification for moving and opposing the bill and it looked if all was trying to benefit from the issue. No one really care about the people to be affected from the legislation. No one would disagree that appointments should be made on merit but at the same time those who have been working on contract basis from last ten to fifteen years must also be taken care of.
This was extremely interesting that the opposition was not ready to even trust Prime Minister's assurance and continued to oppose the legalisation, describing it against the transparency and rule of law. The government finally relented to their demand and the bill was deferred and it was very clear from the interactions later with the opposition that it would not support the legislation what may come. One could only hope that the future of the contract employees with long service would not be put at stake merely for political gains.
The retreat of treasury during the last two days on legislative business on the intervention of Prime Minister was simply suggesting that either he was not given any briefing on the legislation or the government did not have simple majority to push through the bill. Both these scenario must have been a matter of concern for the Prime Minister and reflection of poor homework. While well prepared opposition was in a mood to give tough time to the treasury.