THE only refreshing moments in the new National Assembly during the sessions held to elect the speaker and the prime minister were the speeches of Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. Instead of customarily praising democracy, he showed the darker aspects of Pakistan’s politics. In his speech after the election of the speaker of the National Assembly, he pointed out that he could see a large number of faces in the assembly who were part of the Musharraf regime but are now representing other parties.

This ugly fact really makes a mockery of our so-called love for democracy. It shows that principles have no place in Pakistan’s politics. The way the independents joined the PML-N after their victory in the general elections are a clear evidence of lack of values not only of those joining, but also of those who willingly open their doors to people with dubious reputations.

In his speech, he pointed out a great injustice done to the judges who refused to take the oath after military takeovers. He proposed that they should be given their rightful place in our history and compensated for the loss they suffered and the judges who took the oaths be exposed fully before the nation.

Talking about Gen (r ) Musharraf, he said that either everyone associated with him in any way be made to pay for his misdeeds or let bygones be bygones, a new start be made and a fact-finding commission be established.

Thanks, Mr Achakzai for pointing out glaring inconsistencies and hypocrisies that have become part of our political system and made true democracy only a pipedream. You represent the true values of democracy and we need more people like you for democracy to get its true shape.

TASNEEM HAMEED Lahore