Unlikely amendment

In Pakistan if a lawmaker votes against his party he stands disqualified. This is the ideal system and works well in developed democracies like the UK and the US. But here in Pakistan the situation is different because of unscrupulous politicians and the term ‘horse-trading’ applies for lawmakers who are on sale.
So far, so good. But the problem is that some political leaders become dictatorial after they are able to form governments. As a result disgruntled lawmakers, who are ignored by their party leadership, become susceptible to horse-trading. The two big parties – the PML-N and the PTI – face this nightmare. That has divided them into supporting and opposing the proposed 22nd Amendment. That said, it is very unlikely that the amendment will go through at this stage. So much the better because democratic principles should not be sacrificed for the personal benefits of party leaders.
Zaheer Ahmed
Islamabad