Future of NA Legislative Assembly
Photo Asghar Khan
by Zulfiqar Ali Khan
As the post election political scenario in Islamabad is becoming clear, it seems that it will also cause political turmoil in Northern Areas. According to news reports, members of PML (Q) in Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) have already started contacting the local and central leadership of PPPP and PML (N). These members of present ruling party in Northern Areas were having affiliations with PPPP and PML (N) before the engineering of PML (Q) during last election. This new development will ultimately lead to changes of loyalties from majority of the members of PML (Q).
The warm and personal relationship of Deputy Chief Executive, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan with Nawaz Sharif before his dismissal from government is not hidden from anyone. According to a local newspaper, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan had a long meeting with Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Abbasi, of PML (N) in Abbotabad. However, in an interview he said that the members of PML (Q) will remain united in Northern Areas and no one will change his political loyalties. He also praised the Government of PML (Q) for the exemplary development projects completed during last tenure. The President of PML (N) in Northern Areas Hafiz-u-Rehman has also confirmed the contact of Mirza Hussain, Advisor Finance, Planning and border trade in order to join PML (N). However, he said that the central leadership will decide on this issue after consulting the local leadership.
Similarily, Haji Abdul Qudoos, Advisor Health, Abdul Hammed, Advisor Tourism, Asad Zaidi, Deputy Speaker, Fida Muhammad Nashad, former Deputy Chief executive, Imran Nadeem, former Advisor Health and Tourism, Wazir Willayat, and Ghulam Nabi are also using back channels to join PPPP. The General Secretary PPPP, Syded Mahdi Shah has said that there is no place for Lotas in PPPP and the central committee makes decisions after consulting the local level leaderships.
This scenario clearly indicates a new ‘lotacracy’ in Northern Areas which could decree the end of present NALA setup. The new political situation is also creating uncertainties for the implementation of the presidential packages of President Musharaf to the Northern Areas. Both the winning parties are having provincial autonomy as a top priority. Therefore, people of Northern Areas are also expecting any meaningful steps to address the wider issues of constitutional neglect and political disempowerment in the Northern Areas
Well, i am agree with your opinion and observation, i must say that these are all seasional birds……………..they will change there loyeltey at any time.May GOD will give the right path to all those political businessmen.
It has been the unique tradition of Pakistani politics to worship the rising sun. In order to “serve the nation” they are quite flexible to change their loyalties. They can join or change any party, support any idea, strengthen the dictatorship and even more. This trend has diluted the political institutions in Pakistan. It has also given the army a prominent and key role in politics. It is interesting to note here that during a class on South Asian politics at Harvard University our professor identified this trend as one of the basic problems in Pakistani politics. She was of the view that more than 90% of the paki politicians are in politics without any ideology. Their primary aim is to strengthen their control over the state resources. She also identified multi party membership and affiliation by a single political family as a refined version of this trend. I think what she said is very much true. So, it will happen in our part of the world as well.