Rules of privilege

This refers to the article, ‘When did committees solve anything?’ (May 20) by Ayaz Amir. The writer has asked whether any committee has ever solved any problem confronting the country. Generally, one would agree with him. But, after some research it was found that a committee does exist in Pakistan that, though not credited with solving the problems besetting the country, definitely has the distinction of solving the problems of our ‘poor’ parliamentarians. This committee remains dormant throughout the year but suddenly pops up during the budget season. This year too, such a committee (the National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges) was formed that recommended a three-fold raise in the salaries of parliamentarians along with a phenomenal increase in their allowances/perks. And, this raise was approved by the House unanimously.

As regards the existing political deadlock, a committee has been formed that would jointly draft terms of reference (ToRs) for an enquiry commission to investigate the Panama Papers. One should not be that optimistic about the outcome of this committee because it is feared that this exercise would only result in putting the issue on the backburner. And, in any case, why should NAB not investigate the cases of those whose names have appeared in the Panama leaks?

Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan

Rawalpindi