Commons in British Parliament - Glorious Revolution

Supreme Court barred Sharif brothers from contesting the election and even current seat for Shahbaz Sharif. This is the major headline for today. Later in the day, President Zardari issued an order which says Governor Punjab can take over the provincial cabinet and the existing provincial assembly members are no longer liable to keep their offices. Interesting advancements, I live at such a happening place. Now the question is — what next?

I was thinking about writing some feature post for last four, five day to fill up this portion for my blog. Though couldn’t find time to start something. today I was pushed by myself to atleast protest this in writing. Let’s get a little background first over this whole thing. NawaZ Sharif was charged for plan hijacking in 1999, which resulted in a military coup by well known Musharaf. This case also followed the exile of Sharif family.  Similarly, Shabaz Sharif was charged for some extra judicial killings, somewhere back in time. Anyways, things kept moving and Musharaf seized the office of supreme authority besides being an army man. As social historians  say everything moves in a circle from bottom to top and vise versa. General Musharraf wanted to get rid of his own appointed chief justice Iftikhar Choudhry, but the big guy refused to resign and then Musharaf made a wrong choice and dismissed the judge. This really aggravated situation for an already falling political system or I say General’s system.

A mass scale movement begins to restore the judiciary and reinstate Justice Iftikha Chaudhry. It felt like every Pakistani was part of it and may be that was the time to save democracy and the system. It was a collective political movement, the left wing and the right wing both were part of it. Nawaz Sharif head of Muslim League and Benazir for PPP seem to have very cordial relation during this whole thin going on. Somehow it was successful when the judges were restored by Supreme Court’s decision in July 2007 and some fresh air came in. May be not so quick and again in November,  General Musharaf declared emergency and the time for election and his self made democratic transition.

The purpose behind narrating this whole story is that witnessing all these good things and so much of political will, and cooperation between all parties with one focus reminded me of an analogy. In 1688 Briton, when Whigs and Tories joined hands against James II for his extensive interference in parliament and love for Catholics. The triggering instant was somewhat similar, when the arch bishop sent a letter to king about some inappropriate clause in the newly made bill. The king considering him a threat to his absolute rule imprisoned the bishops. This add fuel to the fire and it spread so vast and quickly. The collective effort of Whigs and Tories forced James II to escape and the crown went back to parliament which they gave to their selected king and queen (William III and Marry). So, this way Briton end his long rule of absolute monarchy and parliament restores its honor and sovereignty. This all was done in a very peaceful manner and now doubt is still remembered as glorious revolution.

Verifying my nostalgic analogies I focused on comparing the chords and points to follow the political leads here. I have enjoyed the conversation of our parties, PPP and Muslim league N about political harmony and will to help Pakistan advance. I was confused when Mohtarma Benazir got killed on December 27, because this was not the part of story, I had read. May be this was the point that turned away the whole course to somewhere else. Later on in elections all the parties got somewhat mixed mandates. People wanted to give all of them a chance, perhaps the last this time. The beginning was good.  Zardari had good words for Nawas Sharif and Sharifs seemed to appreciate Zardari’s steps.

I thought may be just like Briton now we are on the right track for democracy. A certain element of hope started making its shape in my heart, but this honey moon period soon was about to over and today we had the final drop scene when court declared Sharif brothers illegitimate to run for election. Though it’s a legal decision by the Supreme Court but even politically the most challenged person can do the math behind this. Mr. Sharif have gone through a lot of think and thin and perhaps he understands politics a bit, but on the other hand Zardari looks like more enthusiastic about his new gadgets at President Office rather than actually working out some workable strategy. May be besides few good things in Musharaf’s era one was the condition for Bachelors to run for election close call for Zardari saab.  Now what will happen, If he did this to stop the lawyers or weaken them for long march, than Oh poor you Sir, your math sucks this is going to strengthen it even more than before. What I see is a loop in which we will continue to run, unless we the PEOPLE break it out and get the control back from these good for nothing people we put on our head. This is not going to happen over night. My point here is that we should wait, and atleast for once let this 5 year democratic system run. This will give a new sign, a new norm, and a political value. They believe democracy is best revenge than let it be this way. Let the next elections come and we can equal the share. The problem is we people are so desperate, we want results over night. This isn’t going to happen. It took Briton with all their power and wisdom, 200 years starting from the Glorious Revolution even more to be what they are today.

I would look forward to your comments, suggestions and healthy criticism.

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