LAHORE, Sept 15: Exceptions apart, most people in various walks of life, generally, have a tendency to stick to their seats irrespective of their inability to deliver. They ignore criticism and try to stay at the helm till they are thrown out.

Elderly Malik Jalaluddin Dhakku, a senior parliamentarian, set a good precedent for his colleagues in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday. In the absence of the speaker and the deputy speaker, he was chairing the session when some legislative business was to be transacted.

He tried to do what the chair should have done. But failed. The assembly officials extended him maximum support, as they always do no matter who is in the chair. But Dhakko could not read even a few lines submitted to him. And if he crossed one "bridge", he could not cross the next. He paused and stammered for a while, and treasury benches realized that the senior parliamentarian was finding it difficult to do what he was supposed to do.

A PML-N leader rose in his seat to say that the panel of chairmen appointed at the start of every session should comprise legislators capable of conducting the business, no matter what.

He said everybody could not be expected to conduct every kind of business and thus the man presiding over the session when legislative business was on the agenda, should be the one well-versed with the subject.

Dhakku understood that it was a comment on his bad performance. He immediately bowed out, vacating the seat for Nazar Fareed Khokhar. Opposition benches welcomed the initiative by thumping desks.

The law minister said that the conduct of the chair could not at all be brought under discussion. He said that a person who was a member of the assembly equally qualified to become the chief minister, speaker or deputy speaker.

The legal position is exactly as explained by the minister. But the point of capability raised by the opposition member was also equally valid. The issue of water shortages in the Punjab was raised by an opposition member and it consumed most of the time of the Question-Hour.

Dr Javed Siddiqui is always concerned about the situation in southern Punjab, the region he comes from. Clad in a black suit, he raised a point of order (or disorder) when the Question-Hour was in progress. He even staged a walkout as protest at lack of irrigation water in southern Punjab.

The law minister was furious over the 'non-serious' way a serious issue was raised. The minister should bear in mind that he would have to face such situations as long as the legislators are not taught to observe the Rule of Procedure.

A number of resolutions were adopted by the house on Wednesday. However, some members complained that the resolutions passed in the previous sessions have been of little help.

One pointed out that the slaughter house of Bakkar Mandi was not shifted despite several assurances by the government. This provided PPP's Samiullah Khan an opportunity to attack the resolution passed recently by the Punjab Assembly that President Musharraf retain his uniform.

True that previous resolutions had borne no fruit, but the one concerning the uniform would certainly get a positive response from the relevant quarters. This would surely be liked by the man, he said, without naming anyone but leaving no doubt that he was referring to President Musharraf.

In the cafeteria, legislators from both sides of political divide made speculations about the situation the country may have to face in the coming months. Some said that the recent resolution of the Punjab Assembly will strengthen the position of the president and he will be able to take decisions from a position of strength.

They thought that the Constitution already permits the president to retain his two hats and after resolutions by various assemblies, he will get further justification not to take off his uniform.

Different people had conflicting reports about the changes that may take place on the political scene. ARD people are of the view that the role of the MMA will determine the shape of things to come.

In case the religious alliance comes out on the streets, Gen Musharraf may have to change his plans, but if the MMA doesn't go beyond its 'hollow threats', the president will continue to dominate the scene.

ARD leaders think that if the religious alliance doesn't mount pressure on the general to quit as army chief, its credibility will be dented and no one will accept it as a group of opposition parties.