Chaos in the house

The National Assembly’s session on Thursday descended into utter chaos as members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to blows with one another over the Panama Papers issue. The scuffle broke out when Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who had gone to the opposition’s front benches to talk to Shah Mehmood Qureshi, was confronted by some members of the PTI after a heated argument. Who started the fist fight is yet to be ascertained but the images broadcasted on television screens point to one thing – that political parties are themselves promoting undemocratic behavior and setting a bad example.
The brawl in the National Assembly was culmination of the tensions building up in the wake of the Panama Papers case. The legal battle is being fought in the Supreme Court but it seems both parties sense that the real battle will be outside the court. Leaders of both Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are seen conducting press talks for hours throughout the day during which both sides claim that their arguments were stronger in the court. The ruling party had a plethora of leaders who come daily to the Panama Papers case hearing in the Supreme Court – prepared to launch verbal attacks on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its chief Imran Khan outside the court as soon as the hearing ends. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on the other hand has assembled its own team to respond to the press talks of government members. The kind of language used in these press talks is highly unfortunate but it seems that party high ups are okay with it and have given the go ahead to stoop to any level to make their point. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was rightly accused of promoting ‘unethical’ language in its sit-ins, rallies and press talks dating back to 2014, the ruling party leaders have always been vocal in their criticism of Imran Khan. However, it is surprising that on one hand the ruling party blames Imran Khan for introducing the trend of mudslinging in Pakistan’s political culture while indulging in the same themselves. As far as promoting good political culture is concerned both Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf can learn a lot from Pakistan Peoples Party. The top tier leadership of the party is very careful when it comes to press statements and it’s very rare to see any leader from Peoples Party indulge in mudslinging. The high ups of all political parties should sit together and come to some sort of consensus to ensure that extremist tendencies in political parties don’t progress any further. Political leaders must learn to be take criticism and develop tolerance. Political differences are one thing but allegations of personal nature, targeting family members and use of unsuitable language should be a big no. As leaders of an Islamic country there is even more responsibility on political parties to ensure that tolerance is promoted in the political culture. The press talks outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan after the hearing of Panama Papers case should also be toned down by both parties. The energy and dedication being spent on press talks could also used for matters of public interest – and there are a number of very serious matters that need the attention of politicians.