Doubts shadow in-camera session
By Kalbe Ali
ISLAMABAD: On the eve of the joint session of the parliament, the opinion in the capital appeared divided on the issue of the American raid in Abbottabad which has kept the world riveted and caused a political storm in Islamabad.
It is unclear what the joint in-camera session will yield as there is no consensus among the political parties and the public opinion over what should be done. This is in complete contrast to the mood during the past joint in-camera session when the military had briefed the parliamentarians about the security situation. Then the parliament had come up with a resolution that provided the military with the political backing to carry out operations in the country`s North West.
This time around, however, political parties and social groups are divided over what the government`s response should be. There is no consensus over what the session may yield or what should be done next. While the government has supported the inquiry ordered by the military, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has asked for an inquiry led by the higher judiciary.
In fact, on Thursday, Ch Nisar Ali Khan, leader of the opposition, criticised the in-camera briefing and said some media members should be allowed in to maintain neutrality and transparency. He said the briefing should be more like a Q&A session rather than a lengthy presentation.
Some dissident members of the PML-Q, which has recently joined the treasury benches, have voiced a similar opinion. Senator Haroon Akhtar of PML-Q also demanded a question answer session between the officials of the armed forces and the parliamentarians.
“I am sure that it will be a lengthy session with 2-3 hours of presentation followed by 2-3 hours of Q&A,” Senator Akhtar said. “If they declined to respond to the queries of the parliamentarians then frustrations will further increase.”
The government does not even enjoy the support of all its coalition partners. The MQM is a case in point. Having joined the federal government on the day the raid took place, the party is holding its own version of an inquiry into the Abbottabad operation. Its `public referendum`, which it is conducting by getting the people to fill out a questionnaire, was launched in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Even more aggressive has been the reaction of parties such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. It will hold a protest demonstration against the in-camera session of the parliament on Friday.
Some analysts have pointed out that those pressing the PPP to take a strong stand against the army may be driving a nail into the government`s coffin. In the past civilian governments were dismissed when they tried to conduct inquiries against the military. The Junejo government was sent home after it looked into the reasons for the Ojhri Camp blast in Rawalpindi in 1988. The Kargil affair sent Nawaz Sharif`s second government packing.
However, not everyone is willing to buy this argument either. PML-N MNA Pervaiz Malik said the government would complete its tenure.
Political analyst Dr Rasool Bakhsh Raees also felt that under the current scenario the chances of a military takeover were not strong. His views are also supported by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), which has asked the government to initiate a tripartite inquiry commission involving the higher judiciary, politicians and military officials to fix responsibility for the security failure that facilitated the US military operation in Abbottabad.
“The government should reconsider all secret agreements of Musharraf government with the US. The government should not defend the agencies…No one can buy this claim by the government as people know that the government has no control over foreign and defense related matters…” said the SDPI statement.
Amid all this, a small group is standing firm in its support for the Pakistan Army. This unknown group of social activists held a gathering at D-Chowk on Thursday to express support for the army and the ISI. The colourful gathering included drummers and dancers and was attended by people of all age groups, lawyers, traders and ordinary citizens who said that defaming the national institution over a single incident was not fair. The trading community of the twin cities on Thursday also rejected the criticism of the armed forces.
“The business community condemns the well-orchestrated move against the guardians of the ideological and geographical borders,” said Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee Media and PR Malik Sohail.
But it may not be possible for such small though determined groups to drown out the loud demands for answers.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/13/2011
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