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18th Amendment Won't Make
Difference In Peoples' Lives
I started writing about constitutionalism,
rule of law and restoration of democracy as soon general
Musharraf illegally took over Pakistan on October 12, 1999.
Before, Musharraf emerged on the scene I opposed General Zia’s
military rule in every possible way in and out of Pakistan.
18th Amendment is indeed good
news. Those who worked to put this package together deserve our
appreciation and thanks.
However, I do not see much hope for the
people of Pakistan in this amendment. Here is it why?
18th amendment does not end the
control of Pakistan’s tyrant ruling elite over the people of
Pakistan.
There is not a single clause in 18th
amendment which mentions anything about improving the economic
conditions of the people of Pakistan.
For example, the large size of cabinets has
gradually become a serious problem in the country. The 18th
amendment proposes there should be a limit on the number of
cabinet ministers. The suggested limit has been wickedly linked
with a percentage of total numbers of members of national and
provincial assemblies. The government can appoint 11 percent
cabinet ministers. What does it practically mean? The parliament
has 329 members. Which means government can appoint 36 or 37
cabinet ministers. The clause does not mention the number of
appointment of state ministers. So it will be pretty much the
same story. We will have the same number of jackasses roaming
around in federal capital and in other cities of Pakistan with
Pakistani flags on their cars.
I have quoted this example only to show the
cosmetic steps being taken through highly propagated 18th
amendment. Otherwise, there are many more such cosmetic steps
which will keep the matters in Pakistan business as usual.
The blood sucking ruling elite sitting in the
parliament has not mentioned a single word about changing the
economic conditions of the people of Pakistan.
For example, deficit budgets are a serious
problem—almost a threat to national existence—a door for foreign
intervention in Pakistan’s internal affairs. The 18th
amendment has ignored to bind the government to prepare balanced
budgets for a certain period of time.
Growing poverty has become a serious threat
to national security. The 18th amendment has not
mentioned a single phrase which forces the government to
formulate and enforce economic polices which insure to end the
gap between the earnings of members of upper and lower classes,
which widen and strengthen the middle class, and which ends
poverty in the country.
I practically see nothing in this amendment
which will benefit the people of Pakistan. What 18th
amendment will do is create a new balance of power among the
members of ruling elite of Pakistan. It will allow them to tread
on their old path of loot and plunder without any fear and
threat.
This amendment will ask pigs to wear lipstick
on their lips, but it will not weed out these pigs from
Pakistan’s ailing social, cultural, political and economic
system.
The people of Pakistan will have to continue
to fight against Pakistan’s cruel ruling elite to bring back
dignity, honor, and some ease in their social, cultural,
political and economic lives.
So I will not beat my drums to join the party
of Pakistan’s ruling elite over passage of 18tth amendment. I’ll
wait until I see some vital signs of ray of hope on the faces of
people of Pakistan.
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