IT was indeed sad to see and hear political leaders sending curses to the parliament of which they are members. As parliamentarians, political leaders are fully entitled to criticising the government, but sending curses to the parliament as an institution is unheard of and totally unacceptable.

Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was an eminent parliamentarian and during his days in London attended sessions of the British parliament regularly and watched the MPs’ performance, manners and conduct. Jinnah was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1909 and remained a member till March, 1929 when he resigned in protest against the passing of the Rowlatt Act, which curtailed freedom and fundamental rights of citizens.

Jinnah was once again elected to the Central Legislative Assembly from Bombay in 1923 and 1924.

He remained a part of parliament as head of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan until his demise in 1948. His qualities as a parliamentarian have been documented, including his strategy, keen insight, able advocacy, clear representation, power of reasoning, balanced judgment and undaunted constructive criticism. Some writers have described Jinnah as a born parliamentarian.

The Jinnah Society has been carrying on a campaign for the past over 20 years to propagate the Quaid’s principles, ideals and vision.

Political differences exist among political leaders in all countries of the world but all this has to be done with decorum and dignity. Criticism is welcome provided it is constructive and not destructive in nature.

Liaquat H. Merchant

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018