National Reconciliation Ordinance

National Reconciliation Ordinance
Ibrat
PEOPLE were rejoicing after the recent political developments. They had high hopes that a new political era would begin with a change in the present set-up. Meanwhile, the National Reconciliation Ordinance that provides relief to politicians emerged as a controversial issue and is being questioned by civil society and rational elements. The NRO is not considered a good omen as criminals will get indemnity. It amounts to the crime and corruption of the elite being institutionalised.The NRO provides relief to Benazir Bhutto and her colleagues but at the same time people who were involved in criminal cases are also among the beneficiaries… Later, the situation changed and all of a sudden the rulers were attracted by the liberalism of the PPP and a deal was struck between them being labelled as the road to democracy.… The deal has been concluded, but the sword of 58 (2) b is hanging over parliament and the bar on Benazir from becoming prime minister for the third term is still there…There are clear indications that the US wants a role for Benazir in the new set-up, hence it is hoped that the issue of a third term for Benazir as prime minister will be resolved with one stroke of the pen like the NRO. Insofar as Article 58 (2) B is concerned, this could be left to parliament to decide, as it had repealed the controversial article during Nawaz Sharif’s time.The apex court is hearing the petitions regarding the election of President Gen Musharraf and the NRO. Until the court gives its verdict on these two important issues the situation will remain uncertain. — (Oct 8)


Price hike and order of Supreme Court
Tameer-i-Sindh
THE Supreme Court’s bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has rejected the reports of provincial governments regarding the prices of consumer items. The court observed that the rulers were issuing orders for their personal benefits but were not ready to provide any relief to the common man. The court expressed displeasure over the performance of the government and directed it to take action against the hoarders.The apex court’s directive has come on the occasion of Ramazan when a record price hike was witnessed. There should have been a decrease in prices particularly of food items during the holy month. On the contrary, people braved a record increase in the prices of fruit, pulses, flour, etc.Rulers are busy saving their power. They have no time to think about the common good and ensure that food items are sold at fixed prices. The price committees constituted by the government have proved ineffective.Providing relief to the common man is the prime responsibility of the government. But we have the government of the elite class; therefore all benefits go to this class, while the poor are left to God’s mercy. If the rulers continue to bask in their luxuries, we will definitely not see any decrease in prices. Taking notice of the issues which are directly related to the problems of the common man is laudable….the chief secretaries and all heads of concerned departments should be called and made answerable as to why the common people were allowed to suffer and no action was taken. — (Oct 10)
–– Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi