THE speeches of some members of the Senate and the National Assembly in the joint session have exposed our parliamentarians.

The joint parliamentary session was televised live by the government to deliver a message to the people and international power brokers that all political parties were united against the on-going sit-in of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Despite thousands of people protesting outside the parliament, the leadership was desperate to have a joint session. Most members of the Senate and the National Assembly were able to attend it.

The most dramatic scene occurred when Javed Hashmi entered the hall and was given a warm welcome by ruling party members.

All this exposes the mentality of these parliamentarians. It has sent a clear message to the nation that these politicians are there just to serve their own interests.

Syed Atiqul Hassan
Sydney, Australia

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2014