In an interesting twist of events at the National Assembly on Thursday, a handful of Pakistan People’s Party MNAs led by Naheed Khan managed to enter the Leader of the Opposition chamber at the assembly and claimed the office as their own. The development alarmed rival claimant of Leader of the Opposition office Maulana Fazlur Rehman who soon followed in along with his deputies and occupied the other half of the office. The move was quickly overturned by the National Assembly secretariat staff as they managed to ‘recapture’ the office and got it locked at around 4pm in the evening. The whole drama lasted for about an hour soon after the session was adjourned. Soon after moving into the chamber, PPP-P MNAs Naheed Khan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khurshid Shah, Sherry Rehman and few others started decorating the office with Benazir’s portraits. “Speaker today has recognised Makhdoom Amin Fahim as Leader of the Opposition when he asked him to open the debate on President’s address to the parliament. That’s why we’re here,” said Naheed Khan when asked where had she gotten the keys from?
Though she ducked pointed questions on whether she sought permission from the Speaker she only kept on saying: “this is our right and this is our office as we (ARD) are in majority at the opposition benches.” Just across the partition, where deputy leader of the opposition used to sit, MMA deputies led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman occupied the office for a while but later left the place leaving behind a deputy to hold the fort. “They (PPP-P) are the Qabza group and so are we,” said the MMA MNA smilingly. The Leader of the Opposition chamber has one entrance but is divided into two portions for the leader and deputy. “They got the offices opened by coercing CDA staff members responsible for the maintenance of the building. The Speaker does not recognise any member as the Opposition Leader so far,” said a top National Assembly source. “We have taken the necessary disciplinary action against the CDA staff and requested the CDA chairman to look into the matter,” said the source.
Last I heard the onus of responsibility is with the majority party not the minority ones...it was the speakers job to appoint the opposition Leader, a fact he failed to do after 1 year. Not that i am surprised, the speaker is from the same party which has people involved in the storming of the supreme court and Muslim League House Lahore...and let's not forget it's leaders storming of PAC committee before the election.
Not that I have high opes of the ARD and MMA...but in a society where the rule of law is applied selectively qabza's are to be expected.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *
Last I heard the onus of responsibility is with the majority party not the minority ones...
[/QUOTE]
So you are saying that the "principled" opposition parties that you have been championing for so long now, are incapable of agreeing between themselves who should be the opposition leader? What's stopping them coming to a common decision to uphold the traditions of parliamentary democracy, that they have been supposedly struggling for so long, and presenting the speaker with their joint decision?
You are always first to lecture and condemn Pakistani's when it comes to the blame culture, so why are you also blaming others for the actions of people you have held up as better than the ruling lot? At least show some consistency in your line of reasoning...or should I say lecturing.
them coming to a common decision to uphold the traditions of parliamentary democracy, that they have been supposedly struggling for so long, and presenting the speaker with their joint decision?
Simple, the opposition is divided on a whole series of issues and idealogy that is why they are not in power ;). Factually the speaker should have made a fair and impartial decision regardless of competing claims..but to expect a fair and balanced decision from the present government is impossible
You are always first to lecture and condemn Pakistani's when it comes to the blame culture, so why are you also blaming others for the actions of people you have held up as better than the ruling lot?
Well since we are being reduced to the level of attack and counter attack your blind support for Musharraf's lota's and chors does not make you the best judge of my "lecturing and condemning Pakistani's"
Do I expect more from the opposition..yes, but my comments on qabza's in Pakistan stand..the rule of law starts from the top. If you are against jokers..you should be against them all :)
*Simple, the opposition is divided on a whole series of issues and idealogy that is why they are not in power ;) *
[/QUOTE]
Yet, somehow they can unite when they need to i.e. in disrupting the working of parliament, street demos (when they can get the numbers these days), and generally forming alliances to overthrow any government before it's parliamentary term is up. If they can do that they cannot agree amongst themselves to appoint an opposition leader from amongst their ranks?
Btw, I support Musharraf, period. The COAS they practically all ran to (and many supported including you) when they wanted the 'constitutional' government of Al-Nawaz overthrown. Now the hypocrites are on the other side for now, but will no doubt go running back to the COAS sometime in the future again. At least I have remained consistent and true to my principles, unlike some part time democrats/part time COAS admirers. :)
Well I don't believe in personality cults..I believe in saying it as it is..which means my support is on principle..it is not blind :)
Just out of curioisity why does your dislike of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir seem only to be restricted to them personally and not their former closest supporters who are now Musharrafs best friends?
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Zakk: *
* Btw, I support Musharraf, period **
Well I don't believe in personality cults..I believe in saying it as it is..which means my support is on principle..it is not blind :)
[/QUOTE]
:) I support what Musharraf has stood for since he came to power i.e. a developing and progressive Pakistan, which has enabled us to make greater economic and social progress since 1999, than in the 11 years previous to that. Believe me if Benazir or Nawaz had devoted their energies to achieving all that in their multiple terms as Prime Ministers they would have got my avid support. If Musharraf continues to move Pakistan forward promoting tolerance, unity and overall national progress then I will continue to support him, and his executive rule, rather than any politician be they Q, P's or M's.
Now to the topic of this thread, and my previous question. If somehow the opposition can unite in disrupting the working of parliament, street demos, and generally forming alliances to overthrow any government (before it's parliamentary term is up) why can't they unite on picking an opposition leader from amongst their ranks? Nobody is stopping them.
Some people in pak will support whoever is in power. Others support their own party, qabilla, no matter if they are in the wrong. I have more respect for the latter personally but each side has its faults.