Credibility of accountability
Settling political scores has been the real objective of accountability mechanisms in Pakistan.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob
Ordinances vs democracy
Our constitutional scheme intentionally wants the treasury and the opposition to engage with each other.
Prepared for governance?
A political party aspiring to power often has no idea about the real challenges of ruling.
Missing ECP members
In a surprise move, the government tried to break the deadlock unilaterally.
The case of dual nationals
The most serious question about allowing dual nationals to become legislators is the possible conflict of interest.
The Assembly’s first year
The Assembly experienced a delay of five months and 23 days in the formation of its standing committees.
After the no-trust vote
It is unfair to accuse all senators, who chose to vote against party direction, of horse-trading.
Defection season?
The law on defection is clear and leaves no room for ambiguity.
Flawed budget process
There are four serious flaws in the process of preparing, passing and implementing the annual budget.
Two faces of democracy
Neither the presidential nor the parliamentary form of government is a guarantee against instability.
Lawmakers’ pay
A raise in the MPAs’ salaries should be allowed.
Why not consult each other?
The failure to fill the ECP vacancies can be attributed to the PM’s reluctance to talk to the opposition leader.
Production orders politics
At the heart of a production order is people’s right to be represented in parliament by their elected lawmaker.
The first six months
Parliament’s first six months will be remembered more for the bitter, ongoing feud between the PTI and the opposition.
Inter-institutional dialogue, but how?
One may argue that there is good reason for not formally inducting the judiciary into such dialogues.
Taking parliament seriously
With changing times and the advent of new technologies, legislatures need to reinvent themselves.
Beyond the PAC stalemate
If parliamentary proceedings are to be meaningful, the leadership will have to lead by example.
Impartial accountability?
The relatively small number of politicians in the NAB accountability cycle is perhaps no consolation.
Parliament’s first 100 days
Committees in any parliament are considered to be the latter’s eyes, ears and even brain.
The by-election results
The polls seem to indicate that voters have not been swayed by the incumbency factor.