LAHORE - The job of parliament is unrestricted to the legislation only, rather getting the laws implemented in their true spirit. The highest legislative organ of the state should also focus on human rights, law and order and make foreign policies in greater public interest. This was said by the speakers of the seminar at Hameed Nizami Press Institute of Pakistan on Tuesday. The topic of the seminar was ‘Strengthening Democracy-Role of Opposition’.
Former Speaker National Assembly Fakhar Imam presided over the sitting. Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed and Dr Ijaz Butt were the chief guests on the occasion. The speakers included Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari and The Nawai-Waqt reporter Shahzada Khalid. HNPIP Director Absar Abdul Ali was the moderator. Absar Abdul Ali threw the light on the role of UK parliament and on the working criteria of its opposition as it is working as a watchdog. Fakhar Imam said this country saw many dictatorial regimes but the democratic institutions discouraged criticism.
Contrary to the Pakistani electoral process, he said India never echoed rigging allegations in any elections. He praised the Turkish parliament that how it reacted to the US demands and refused to lie down but contrary to that Pakistani parliament was not so powerful to counter external pressure. Imam also critisised the Pakistani media by comparing it with Indian media and said Pakistani media doing its job without watching the national interest. But for Indian media, national interest is the first priority.
PA opposition leader Mehmood ur Rasheed said that Pakistan could soon experience a political change and the chief promoter of this change would be Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI). He said the PTI was the only party that rejected inherited politics. He praised the role of media for strengthening democracy. He also announced to establish a shadow cabinet.
Dr Ijaz Butt said the real question was to analyse the democratic and dictatorial regimes and their performances for the people. He said none of the two systems succeeded to deliver any benefit. Arshad Ansari said that role of opposition was very important in the democratic system. Instead of making noises, the opposition should play a positive role. He said, ‘If the journalists and opposition stand united; the democracy could be more powerful. The role of a shadow cabinet could not be ignored and the incumbent government must not take it for granted.’
Shahzada Khalid said the weak opposition would give birth to weak democracy and as a result the political government would fail to deliver. He asserted both the government and the opposition in this country could not come up to the expectations of the people thus the dreams of the people could not be fulfilled.