OUR political parties deserve laurels for nominating dream-come-true candidates for the imminent Senate election.

An American founding father, James Madison, presented the idea of a senate as a bulwark against the vulgarities of an Aristotlian unicameral legislature, a house of the common men akin to the House of Commons, a Lok Sabha, or our very own National Assembly.

Most nominees, even those of the ‘Naya Pakistan’ party, are filthy rich. But, there is a snag. Even our lower house has no place for paupers. Then who would do pro-poor legislation? Evolve a national healthcare and education system? Ensure basic facilities and justice at the doorstep?

Let the media serve as the tertiary wing of the parliament. They should highlight the bitter fact that, since the creation of Pakistan, there has been little pro-poor representation. A political order and culture, dominated by feudal, industrial robber barons, tribal dynasties or their extended clans, and not to forget, the mullahs who have fostered clientele politics.

The political baton is passed on to scions of political dynasties and their ilk. Taxes become regressive, throttling the poor, and sparing the rich (owners of plazas, car fleets, farm houses, posh idyllic mansions including those at Bani Gala, Jati Umrah, Clifton, Sea View, and elsewhere at home and abroad.

There is abhorrence of taxing the network of supporters. A tendency to rely on or blame Uncle Sam for the country’s problems, and leverage Pakistan’s geographic location to attract foreign funds instead of tapping own resources, including its rich tax base. There is a tendency for creating divisions in society by popularising the extremist versions of Islam and justifying the persecution of minorities.

The complexion of future national assemblies, would also be pro-rich. At this juncture, allow me to quote as reference the work of that fine journalist, Zahid Hussain. His article, House of feudals, in the April 1985 issue of Herald, is as valid today as when it saw the print 33 years ago.

A pro-rich bicameral legislature is against Aristotle’s and James Madison’s visions.

When parliament becomes irreverent to the masses, non-political or non-elected entities ascend in the asymmetry to make it irrelevant. Will we never learn?

Mohammad Asad

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2018