Punjab Politics of Forward Bloc
By Mohsin Sehgal • Mar 22nd, 2009 • Category: Politics • 10 CommentsThe whole thing in Punjab’s politics hinges on the unification or forward bloc of PML(Q) which is sitting with the PML(N). In the leadership of Mian Atta Manika, 27 or so members of Punjab Assembly have shown their loyality with the Shahbaz Sharif who was rendered ineligbile to hold any public office by the Dogar Courts.
It’s true that the verdict by the Dogar Court, Governor Raj of Salman Taseer, locking-up of the Punjab Assembly, and then the horse-trading has given a very bad taste to the newly found democracy. It’s also true that responsibility directly lies with the PPP for all this mayhem. The stand of unification bloc is also to be appreciated that they are standing with PML(N) in this tough time when they have the offer of ministeries, money and other perks from PPP if they come back to PML(Q) and then PPP would easily join hands with PML(Q) to form government in Punjab.
Forward bloc has seen many hardships, which is surprising for such units. Throughout in the political history of Pakistan, forward blocs have succumbed to the pressure and to the perks. They have been remained horses for sale for any bidder. This time they have refused such incentives by the PPP and by the PML(Q). That and Chaudhary Shujaat asked Asif Ali Zardari to appoint the DCOs, DIGs and other police officers of Shujaat’s choice and then it would be Shujaaat’s task to put “sense” into the forward bloc, but that also failed miserably.
Even then it doesn’t suit the ethics and morals. However just and noble the stance of forward bloc may be, but the fact is that they got elected on the ticket of PML(Q). If they believe that they don’t really follow the party line of PML(Q) and see themselves more in line with PML(N), then they should resign from their MPA status and go once again into the bi-elections upon the ticket of PML(N) or as an independent candidate and then join any party they like. PML(N) should also show steadfastness in this regard and they shouldn’t be patronizing and encouraging the forward bloc.
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I think most of the commentators here are Punjabis and they could not bear the progress achieved by Karachi and Hyderabad (in such a short span of time) under the leadership of Haq Parast Govt.
I remember during Nawaz Sharif eras Karachi was giving looks of KHUNDARAT and when I went to Lahore it was totally contrasting to Karachi.
These Punjabi (so called Sharif) brothers has used Karachi’s income for the development of Lahore.
Are Hamid Mir, Talat Hussain, Kashif abbassi, Mazhar Abbas, Ansar Abbassi, Nusrat Javed, Mushtaq Minhas, Haroon Rasheed, Asma Chaudhry etc etc are not Punjabis. Were not they supporting openly Sharif Brothers against all the norms of an independent, impartial, unbiased, unprejudiced journalism.
Have they ever mentioned the past wrongdoings of NawazSharif; few of them are mentioned by my brothers. I have not heard anything from these anchors on any channel.
Exactly they did the same with Musharraf. They were so much full of hatred to him that these guys (who actually owe Musharraf,as they got highly paid jobs because of him due to his media policy) has never mentioned anything good he has done for the country.
I love Punjab and Punjabis as I love other provinces and people of those provinces.
My point is simple PUNJABIS MUST NOT USURP THE RIGHTS OF OTHER PAKISTANIS. IF THEY ARE 66%. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO GET 96% RESOURCES OF WHOLE COUNTRY.
I CAN GIVE HUNDREDS OF EXAMPLES WHICH I HAVE NOTICED MYSELF (and everyone can notice this ) AND WENT THROUGH WITH SO MANY HARSH CIRCUMSTANCES (BECAUSE OF THEM).
I am against the provincialism (this is also against the teachings of Islam) but expects this from all others as well.
We are all Pakistanis and we all love Pakistan and Pakistan could flourish only when we give everybody his right on the basis of MERIT SYSTEM.
IF YOU ASK ANY BANGLADESHI WHAT WAS REASON THEY GOT SEPARATED FROM PAKISTAN THEY WOULD SAY BECUASE PUNJAB WAS TAKING THEIR RESOURCES.
WE ALL HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS TRUTH OF HISTORY
The people of Bhakkar district have elected a chief minister of Punjab and a prime minister of Pakistan in different elections. Although a goup of local leaders sponcer the occassion but basically the people of Bhakkar elected them and dream of a better Bhakkar. It’s requested to the concerning authorities to please consider to upgrade Bhakkar as a divisional head quarter by appointing a commissioner to provide better governance, extra facilities and security in the area. There are news that religious violence and drug smuggling is increased in the area recently.Bhakkar has been head quarters of divisional level organization of Thal Development Authority since 1952. TDA was abolish in 1971 on corruption charges against it’s high officials. Bhakkar is also a border district to Dera Ismail Khan and a capital city of Thal desert area-spread in six districts in Punjab. Thanking you, Khwaja Aftab Ali, Florida, USA
Concept of forward blocs is an addition of insult to our injuries. Our history of politics is already filled with horse trading, corruption, murders, hypocrisy and what not and now these forward blocs. I am also surprised that Nawaz Shareef et al keep reminding of CoD and the promises made by Zardari to the nation but never ever spoke about the PML Q’s forward bloc which he has silently embraced. Many seasonal analysts say that Nawaz Shareef is not the same “Shareef” he used to be, he is a changed man this time but I ask them if he has changed himself and has a principled stance then why doesn’t he disown forward bloc in his public speeches and come up as a man of principles?
Like you pointed out “our history filled” with “horse trading” etc. I think this concept of builting various ‘blocs’ is just a way to make the trading more efficient and convenient. In the past thebuyers had to deal with individuals to buy their ‘conscience’ and now the buying and selling is ‘en bloc’. What puzzles me most is why do we send ‘animals’ to our parliaments if you elect ‘horses’ there will be ‘horse trading’. Elect human beings to represent humans not ‘animals’.
Unfortunately we don’t have human beings in this trade. We have human-being-like-people and we have got them elected by giving benefit of the doubt. As a result we have mixed situation now. At times they act like humans and most of the time behave the way they are.
ASLAM ALAIKUM,
Dear SHARIFUDIN BHAI i respacts you and your comments.you conveye your massage with some reason.I respact all your comments and views.
But my brother now a days you know that the condition of pakistan.Politically.economically as well as soverient challanges face our country and Nation.
So i request you that please forgete it for this islamic republic of Pakistan.
Lets come and unitedly face these problems and overcome it.
please reply me in my personal mailing ID (amanan6565@yahoo.com)
Forward block is a clear indicator of greedy vultures in our political field.There exist no political concepts and deviation of principles but only the hunger of power and money are the major driving forces behind its formation.Now its the job of media to carry on highlighting their U turns again and again so people record them in their memories and decide in decisive manners about their re selection .
@7
damn…………..spoiling with filth \every article .disaster for the forum this frustrated women ufffffffffffffffffffff.PIA
Abdul Mannan,
My brother, I have the same feelings like yourself but I can’t stop when people do not realise their mistakes even after loosing half of Pakistan due to their wrong policies and being adamant with the same state of affairs.
We love Pakistan and my forefathers has shed blood for this country and we won’t let any body destroy it wether a Punjabi who says I will come to Pakistani on indian tank (and recently a leader gave a slogan of JAG PUNJABI JAG), a pathan who did not like to be buried in Pakistan, a baloch who who said we will welcome indians, a sindhi who pleaded West to stop giving aid to Pakistan and if Rajiv Gandhi was alive I would punish Musharraf.
Shame on all of them! Must be barred to be called themselves Pakistani
How can you be so naive? Forward blocs will not take us anywhere!
The Governor of Punjab has time and again requested any two of the three parliamentary parties in the Punjab Assembly to form an alliance and then demand the calling of the assembly session to elect a leader in the house. The biggest hindrance is the defection clause under the 14th Amendment i.e. 63A of the Constitution which ironically was passed by the PML N Government of Mian Nawaz Sharif in 1997 and in which the PPP participated with their votes to pass the amendment.
According to the constitution’s clause 63A titled the “Disqualification on grounds of defection, etc.” it is clearly stated that a member can be disqualified in case of resigning from his party or joining another Parliamentary party or votes/abstains in the House contrary to the directions of his parliamentary party in relation to:
a) Election of PM or CM
b) Vote of confidence / no confidence
c) Money bill
Considering the numerical situation in the Punjab Assembly, even though the PML N have the highest number of members in the assembly, they are still short of a clear majority which is why the Governor has been requesting for a parliamentary alliance between two parties. If the PML N is able to show its majority, it will require the possible defection of some members of the house towards the PML N which will be against the constitution of the country. If one remembers the history, the PML N enjoyed a two third majority in the National Assembly in 1997, yet it chose to introduce the 14th amendment on the pretext that the seat of a member is due to his or her party affiliation and hence the amendment was needed to safeguard parliamentary democracy from the menace of horse trading.
It would be interesting to see if the PML N would choose the path of forming a government on its own thereby possibly negating its own introduced amendment.
I was disgusted to hear Ata Maneka saying that ascertainment is not election! Come on! Once and for all finish this politics of Horse Trading