By: Asem Mustafa Awan
February 16 was the last date for filing of papers with the Election Commission for Senate elections early next month. The political parties appeared in limbo about their candidates owing to an extra-ordinary focus drawn on polls and minute scrutiny of candidature.
Let it be made clear for once through an act of parliament that only those will be made members of the house who have no case against them and are not loan defaulters.
Globally two leading democratic models namely America and England are adopted by different countries as examples. The Senate and House of Lords as in Upper House comprises of experts who steer the nation and the national policy towards common goals that are laid down for the public welfare. The Senate elections in Pakistan are conducted in strange manner and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement about the ‘price of Senator’ made headlines a few days ago. The viral video on the social media has many a politicians taking the money that was in big bundles and carried in bags show the moral fabric of the society falling apart with its rulers’ image tarnished like that.
The need of the hour was to make an example out of the corrupt politicians who have moral, financial and criminal cases against them in different courts of law. These cases somehow are always shelved as these ‘big wigs’ are connected and have always hoodwinked the law on different pretexts. How many politicians have been involved in criminal activities, how many have criminal cases against them, how many settled their disputes outside the court and how many of them have amassed wealth beyond means? These questions need answers that only a fair trial could suffice them. Fair trial not only ensures bringing the culprit to the book but also requires the accuser to come up with solid examinable in the court of law.
Pakistan elections have every chameleon politician in its rank and the real essence of the democracy, which is harped every hour from the leadership, is to be followed only by the party workers, who have served the party for decades and are never honoured for their devotion and commitment.
The two main opposition parties Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party have hereditary politics and the tunes harped are for justice and fair play while the party itself is unfair to its workers leave a very bad taste.
The current senate elections with the nominations from the party heads have made the party workers coming out and protesting the decisions of the party leadership.
This questioning from the party workers is probably for the first time. The practice in the past had people with money and influence added with private partnerships with the political elite made it to Senate to get perks and immunity for their wrong deeds.
A donation in the private coffers ensures a ticket that made it possible for many to get in to a privileged class, which sadly is untouched and overlooked by National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue and State Bank of Pakistan.
Let it be made clear for once through an act of parliament that only those will be made members of the house who have no case against them and are not loan defaulters.