PAKISTAN faces many problems, including monetary and socio-political issues. But one of the major issues is the lack of real parliamentary opposition in the shape of a ‘shadow cabinet’ in the country. People are crushed under unprecedented inflation, unemployment and many more difficulties due to poor governance and wrong government policies over the years, but there has never been a shadow cabinet to keep an eye on the level of governance with the intention of pre-empting a disaster.

One wonders why the idea of having a shadow cabinet could not take root in the country and who might be responsible for its absence. The political parties only safeguard their interests, instead of serving the people.

The past cannot be undone, but opposition parties should now come together, as most of them are already in an alliance, and announce the formation of a shadow cabinet with the opposition leader in the chair. It should be the task of the opposition to hold meetings on the following day of all federal cabinet meetings and they may tell the masses about the quality of decisions taken by the cabinet meeting and their impact on national life.

Consequently, it may provide its recommendations for the same or otherwise. Further, each shadow cabinet minister should be responsible to identify flawed policies in the ministry concerned and provide alternative ways forward for the same.

Moreover, the formation of a shadow cabinet is a must for all political parties, which can work on various policies, including energy, health, education, agriculture, etc., so that they may deliver better when they come to power.

Muhammad Kamran Gujjar

Sargodha

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2021