A matter of democracy

This refers to the excellent article ‘Article 62 and parliament’ by Dr Ikramul Haq (April 21). His concluding paragraph states: “While all obscure provisions inserted by Gen Zia should be deleted, parliament must insert unambiguous ones and bar the way for plunderers of national wealth, tax evaders and criminals from even participating in politics, let alone contesting elections and holding party offices”. This paragraph describes clearly what ought to be prescribed as the basic qualification for future parliamentarians.

Moreover, the declaration to be made by assembly aspirants must be comprehensive. Any misstatement in the declarations that are discovered later should be cause enough for the instant disqualification for life. The only snag is that the gentry that we mostly find in our parliament can seldom be expected to enact such clauses and a suitable strategy has to be found to enact and apply these before the fresh elections, preferably through the interim government. Maybe the superior judiciary, with due support, can make this possible and thus protect the country and the people from the dirty game that is played on it in the name of democracy.

S R H Hashmi

Karachi