People’s senators

The Senate elections, dubbed as ‘free and fair’ by politicians, are over. However, the election process is faulty – because candidates can hardly defy party heads. Can the Senate play its constitutional role of safeguarding the interests of the provinces and people in its present composition? Do we need a Senate that is merely an extension of the National Assembly?
These are the questions we need to ponder over. It is a far better option for senators to be directly elected by the people of the provinces to which they belong. Only then can they be strong enough to act in the interest of their respective provinces and people. That is what will ultimately strengthen the federation of Pakistan and promote the cause of a genuine democracy. The absurdity of labelling religious scholars and lawyers as technocrats cannot be surpassed. Is this not a violation of the rules governing the Senate elections? Right now, we are certainly a long way from the right kind of electoral reforms.
Brig (r) Usman Shah
Rawalpindi