THE supreme court of the United Kingdom has applied brakes on the process of the country’s exit from the European Union. It held that a referendum was not enough but a parliamentary approval is necessary.

A referendum was held in June last by invoking a clause of the EU treaty for the withdrawal wherein 52pc voters supported the exit. This led to the resignation of then prime minister.

The incumbent prime minister, Theresa May, accepted the verdict and said she would bring in necessary legislation by parliament before the end of March -- the time set for the completion of the process.

The ruling of the court is being regarded as supremacy of parliament and the victory of parliamentary democracy.

The British way provides much for soul-searching by those in power in Pakistan.

Anis Siddiqui

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2017