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Eight years on
No one can think of undoing the 18th Amendment but an honest review is in order.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob
Financing poll campaigns
Currently, we have only nine women members elected on general seats in the National Assembly.
Money and politics
A major question left unaddressed in the Elections Act pertains to the limit on poll spending.
Poll transparency reversed
A basic requirement of a democratic system is transparency regarding those seeking public office.
The march of democracy
Despite the setbacks, there are many signs of a maturing democratic order.
A gulf that must be bridged
The real question is how to address the worsening civil-military relations.
Critical times for parliament
There are several parliamentary committees in the provinces which hardly ever meet in their five-year term.
Legislators’ vanishing act
The voters should start questioning their MPs about their attendance record.
Elusive consensus
The key disagreement seems to be over the scope of the proposed accountability law.
Poll law confusion
The election law became controversial right away.
Parliament & accountability
The legislators are meant to play the most important role in strengthening accountability.
Episode or system?
Accountability has a chequered history in Pakistan.
Law to regulate budget
The executive’s unlimited powers to alter the budget after it is passed must be curtailed.
Voting from abroad
The challenges of out-of-country voting are formidable in the case of a country as large as Pakistan.
The case of EVMs
Electronic voting machines may not be as marvellous as they are made out to be.
Owning the fight
Parliament can do more than merely endorsing or criticising a military operation.
Who pays for the brawls?
The instances of indiscipline in parliament, such as the recent scuffle, are symptoms of a major problem.
Where are the women voters?
The ECP must convene a roundtable conference to bring women into the electoral rolls.
Give LGs a chance
A centralised model of governance cannot work for a province as diverse and large as Punjab.
How many ministers?
More cabinet posts may not mean improved governance.