"Even though we can't afford , the Sky is Over" - Serj Tankian
Apparently that seems to be applying a lot lately to the current situation. The Economic crisis, political dysfunction, unorganized activism leading to nothing but discord. Our beloved politicians claim that the current political scenario is one that will benefit Pakistan in the long run. that brings me to the much appraised 18th amendment so enthusiastically passed; though the text is hard to find (Coincidence, I think not) here are few of the clear salient points:
Reportedly the draft of what is to become the 18th Amendment itself includes 95 amendments to the 1973 Constitution. These 95 amendments will effect 70 Articles of the existing Constitutions. There are three “schedules” and one “Annexure” in the draft package.
In particular, the 18th Amendment will undo the impacts of the 8th Amendment (enacted by Gen. Zia ul Haq) which had altered over 90 Articles of the Constitution, and the 17th Amendment (enacted by Gen. Pervez Musharraf) which had altered 26 Articles of the Constitution.
The famed article 58 (2) (b), which had first been inserted into the Constitution by Gen. Zia ul Haq and allows the President to dissolve Parliament, and which was re-enacted by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has been removed from the Constitution in the draft.
The new name of the NWFP is to be Khyber-Pakhtunkwa. The PML-N which had long held out on this issue has reportedly agreed to this name change, although PML-Q has maintained some reservations to it as has PPP-Sherpao.
On the other controversial issue of the composition of the Judicial Commission, the PML-N proposal of adding a seventh member who is a retired Supreme Court Judge has been accepted.
The draft proposes removal of many past amendments added by military rulers, including the 17th Amendment.
The draft abolishes the “concurrent list” and gives much more provincial autonomy than is now available to the provinces. The Council of Common Interest has been given additional powers and the provinces have been given more say on national matters by enhancing their representation in the council.
Reportedly the draft “purges” the name of gen. Zia-ul-Haq as President from the Constitution (it is not yet clear what this means in practice).
- "thank you Adil Najam for the points"
Hmmmm...... is it just me or is this always the case that real issues are never addressed for some very odd reason. Poverty, Education, ELECTRICITY!!! etc etc. Here are the heroes who pride themselves on bringing democracy and enforcing the will of the people, though i cannot speak for those who are less privileged but I am pretty darn sure that they would rather see laws being passed which could in turn guarantee them a decent wage, 3 meals a day and housing without the fear of LOAD-SHEDDING, instead of laws that are renaming provinces and erasing names of former presidents "as presidents" just for the sake of political ego. Though it will not be fair to not note that two clauses (Judicial and Article 52 (B)) could in turn provide some form political stability but this does not make up for the fact that the citizens of Pakistan are still not benefiting.
Elected Politicians purely serve the purpose of the people who elected them but in this nation where illiteracy and poverty are rampant within the masses gathering votes is not a tough deal and these politicians serve their own means by using the economic and social advantage to thier own end.
More to come.....
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