Only Khursheed could refuse to open budget debate without live coverage

 View from the Gallery

Only Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah could do it, and in such a blunt manner as he refused to open debate on government’s budget proposals 2017-18 till treasury assured to cover it live on the state-run television. A polite refusal forced the Opposition Leader to stage a walkout, in the process foregoing his privilege to open a crucial debate. Did he set a new precedent, a record of sort, warrants a careful research of our own parliamentary history? As the situation stands these days, treasury and opposition members seem convinced deep down that in absence of television coverage, specially live one, they don’t get registered nation-wide. That’s why many of them prefer a news channel talk show appearance over attendance in the legislative assembly, or indulging in a debate.

In the case at hand, Khursheed Shah only wanted to show some political muscle. Hence a tit for tat response to PML-N Financial Czar Ishaq Dar consuming so much air time last Friday – and that too live. Mr Shah refused to budge as he was told finance ministers of yesteryears enjoyed this privilege only on the budget day. So nothing special about it. Suddenly, Mr Shah claimed that this has been the case with his past budget speeches too – covered live too. Almost everyone was taken by surprise with such a revelation of sorts. Suddenly, he took a step backwards arguing his speech was telecast live two three times in the past. Finally reconciling that it had happened once last year. “May be a year prior, but former Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid had made sure my speech was telecast live then,” he told the Speaker. 

Again, he claimed that on numerous occasions, his National Assembly speeches were telecast live by state television. But suddenly remembered it was done once during PTI sit-in days in 2014. Dr Shireen Mazari could only endorse. Shah was however pretty sure about events of Monday afternoon recalling he reminded the Speaker about arrangements of his live speech one hour prior to the commencement of the second day of budget session. But nothing happened. Speaker’s response was a guarded one, elaborating he as custodian of the House could only suggest, and not dictate ministers for something that is not in his powers 

Asked about the official position, Minister Marriyam Aurangzeb contended such an abrupt live cut would only result in advertisement losses in millions. Bucked up by the Opposition members, Shah was however not ready to budge. That necessitated a time out, so the proceedings were adjourned for a short break. Led by PML-N Financial Czar Ishaq Dar, ministers made a bee line at the Speakers chamber to discuss the issue threadbare. But in absence of a clearance from the PM House, status quo prevailed. Everyone missed Senator Pervaiz Rashid who could take such a risky decision on his own, and had the political courage and training to convince the leadership then and there or later on. 

No one on the treasury, even the powerful Ishaq Dar, was willing to take such a risk on this day. Resultantly, the whole budget session atmosphere enters unchartered waters as the government undergoes double jeopardy – complete quorum on its own, and face opposition’s walk out and agitation too. It however narrowly survived two time back to back quorum calls and resultant count necessitated by PPP’s Shazia Marri immediately after the Opposition walk out. 

Back from the break, Speaker could only request the Opposition Leader to continue. Shah was taken aback and that too at a time when the powerful adhi Faryal Talpur was actually seated at the rear bench. With no space to maneuver all he could do was to walk out. All opposition members followed. Speaker rushed the ministers to persuade, but it was of no use. Khursheed shah is a happy go lucky PPP leader who became the Opposition leader in the National Assembly as top party tier from rest of the three provinces was wiped out in elections 2013. But still he struggles to make his mark so that treasury could take him seriously. 

The ace of the PPP on economic issues is Naveed Qamar, the parliamentary leader. Shazia Marri, Nafeesa Shah, the elder Zardari sister can speak. Then comes a short list of feudal/agriculturists. Most of them however are happy in silent, mum mode. Some of them have never uttered a single word in the Assembly which gives a false impression as if they are mentally aligned with the government? Isn’t it. Their silence contributes to the easy sail treasury benches enjoy by default. Coming up with a proper elaborate shadow budget with fine proposals for improvement and then point pitfalls employing brains and through hard work is not part of our parliamentary culture. Few exceptions are always there. That puts real pressure on the treasury’s decision makers as well as the bureaucracy. We don’t see that now, especially in the NA. 

PTI lone economic wizard Asad Umar could bisect the PML-N budget at hand, and come up with some workable proposals. But the main focus of his discourse would likely be confined to coin some catchy phrases to embarrass the rulers, at the same time justify his utility to his leader, Imran Khan. Shah Mahmood Qureshi represents the agriculture lobby. So he will focus to limited fine points. Jahangir Tareen, a businessman/industrialist would be handy. But he too has a limited sphere. And then Mr, know all, – Shafqat Mahmood would like to play it to the galleries employing all his taunts, political verbosity.

The problem with the government benches these days is funnier. Majority of the back benchers don’t want to waste their precious time in coming up with budget proposals – this is not part of the work culture of our treasury MPs. For them, it is a given that the 2017-18 budget will get through without much ado within the stipulated timeline, and they would make it to the legislative assembly just to cast their precious vote. Members of the agriculture lobby, even when they feel some of their demands have not been addressed fully despite the agricultural package announced a few months back, won’t like to show teeth in this elections year due to political compulsions. Even when some would be tempted to put the treasury front rows under pressure at this crucial juncture of budget passage, the saner ones won’t buck them up for fear of running out of favour from the leadership still facing political pressure in the winding up days and weeks of Panama case.