The growing public anger against the drone strikes, crystallised by the two-day dharna call by the Tehrik-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan in Peshawar, compelled many a politicians to express their concerns over the strikes in the parliament. Since discussion on US drone strikes has become a regular feature of NA session, Tuesday was not a different day.
Many in NA share Imran's concern over drone attacks Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, who was administering the proceedings of the House, formally welcomed the 13-member American Congress (House of Georgia) delegation in the visitors' gallery. After some lack luster desk thumping, the lawmakers gave the visiting delegation an unprecedented assignment: to ask the US government stop drone strikes.
Samsam Bokhari, a former State Minister for Foreign Affairs from the ruling PPP, took the lead in reiterating the sacrifices of blood and tears by Pakistanis in the war against terror. He asked the American delegation to do more and acknowledge the sacrifices made by Pakistan. Without mincing words, Bokhari lamented the poor image of Pakistanis abroad and maintained that Pakistanis are pacifists, democrats and as pluralistic as the Americans.
Naseer Bhutta, a lawyer from PML-N and Marvi Memon from the PML-Q, who was attending the session in spite of her broken leg, thundered that any undermining of Pakistan's sacrifices was not acceptable. Imran Khan-led dharna attracted people from all walks of life and from all parts of the country and successfully blocked the Nato supply route for two days. The public support reflected by supportive media coverage rang alarm bells for the incumbent Assembly members and stirred a new debate.
The dharna also generated some jealousy amongst senior party leaders which in our politics translates into outlandish accusations. Chaudhry Nisar leader of the Opposition claimed that he was in possession of some credible information, the source of which he did not reveal that the dhrana was sponsored by agencies. His contention that Imran should not have stage a sit-in in Peshawar but members of Parliament should have staged it defies logic.
The Prime Minister stated that the parliamentarians did not feel threatened if the agencies had sponsored the dharna thereby not categorically denying that the dharna was sponsored by the agencies. The proceedings of Tuesday's session, a private members' day, revolved around the many atrocities/hardships that Pakistanis are subjected to: drone attacks, law and order situation in Para Chinar, recommendation to pass a Bill for protection of women from acid throwing, Bill to de-weaponize the country, massive load shedding frustrating the householders and damaging industry.
Though, Standing Committee on Women Development had presented a report on the Bill to amend various Acts and Codes in relation to protection against acid crimes, and compensation for victims of acid crimes - The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, 2010 was hailed by every sitting female member of the Parliament. However, the question of implementation or its lack looms large on the horizon like other bills.
Critics argued that a government that fails to implement court decisions in letter and spirit is hardly likely to be too particular about implementation of newly introduced legislation that requires rigorous police work and a prosecution branch of government able to deal with the work load.