ISLAMABAD - After the army chief’s briefing, the parliamentarians appeared to have heaved a sigh of relief as it eased out their fears of a threat to the current political dispensation as were expressed by Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq.
Most of the lawmakers from the treasury and opposition have now started believing that the PML-N government would complete its tenure and smooth transition of power would take place.
The army chief reportedly made it clear that the existing parliamentary form of democracy was more robust and offered a dynamic solution to the challenges facing the country. He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and categorically denied the military’s role in destabilising the civilian government.
The already messed up political arena of the country after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif felt more shocks following the fears projected by the NA speaker.
Sadiq, in his recent TV interview, cast doubts whether the current National Assembly would complete its term or not.
However, after army chief’s briefing to the Senate Committee of the Whole, most of the parliamentarians were of the view that there should be no doubt anymore. Even the AML Chief, Sheikh Rashid, who used to cast doubts over the completion of tenure by the current democratic set-up, was now optimistic about the completion of the 14th National Assembly period. “If the circumstances persist the assemblies will complete their due period,” Sheikh Rashid said while talking to The Nation.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has also reportedly remarked that they also want the assemblies to complete their term.
Senior PPP’s Sattar Bachani, when contacted, said such kind of interactions must be held and arranged. “It always helps remove misunderstandings, reservations, fears, rumours in the country about the democratic set-up,” he added.
MNA from treasury benches Usman Ibrahim said that the apprehensions about the tenure of current assemblies have been removed.
Another MNA from JUI-F, when contacted, said that the upcoming election 2018 will be held in time. “At least there should not be any doubt now. Things are normal and fears and rumours always disturb the situation,” he added. When contacted, Jamaat-e-Islami’s parliamentary leader Sahibzada Tariq Ullah in the National Assembly lauded the interactions of COAS with the parliamentarian. “This new tradition is welcoming. I believe army should not be dragged into politics rather it should be strengthened,” he said and proposed an increase in the budget of armed forces. He also left the impression that the fears have now been removed.
Sajid Ahmed from MQM was of the view that General Bajwa’s briefing has removed the misconceptions and fears. “The fears of uniform on the mind of people and parliamentarians can be removed through such interaction,” he said mentioning the current assemblies would complete their tenure and election 2018 will be held in time. A PML-N MNA Ghafar Dogar lauded the interaction and said that it had removed many misconceptions in the mind of people about the current democratic setup.