THIS refers to the MQM’s landslide victory in the NA-246 by-elections. However, having won the election, the MQM only gets a constitutional mandate to represent this constituency in the National Assembly, within the confines of the law.

In fact, having taken the oath as a member of the National Assembly, Senate or the provincial assembly, all elected members have a moral and constitutional obligation to uphold the rule of law, ensure that no private or state property is illegally occupied by anyone and do all within their power to bring criminals to book.

Under no circumstances can elected parliamentarians, including the prime minister, chief minister, ministers and paid civil or uniformed public office-holders derive any powers other than those specified and given to them by the Constitution, with no right to violate the laws or defy the constitution, or attempt to subvert it.

Pakistan today is in a mess because of the abuse of powers by its elected and paid public office-holders, who, instead of serving the people and state, consider that this state is there to serve them.

Parliamentarians must be seen to obey the law, pay all taxes and serve as guardians and trustees of national exchequer. It is their obligation that all appointments and recruitments are made strictly on merit.

M. Tariq Ali

Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2015

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