- When elected governments fail to deliver, others strep in
The PM would do well to take serious note of the remarks by CJ Gulzar Ahmad about the PTI government’s performance in general and its handling of the coronavirus threat in particular. Neither Dr Zafar Mirza, nor anyone else in the government was willing to provide any satisfactory answer to complaints about non-availability of vital medical equipment leading to the deaths of patients, doctors and other medical staff. The court took an unusual decision by directing the government to remove Dr Mirza from his post. The court meanwhile advised the doctors to continue attending the patients in line with the glorious traditions of their calling even if proper wherewithal was not available.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the federal government despite an extra-large cabinet. It opined that a mean and lean cabinet might have put up better performance. The CJ said the Sindh government also failed to devise a satisfactory way to distribute food. The court wondered why the government had failed to call Parliament to session to devise a joint line of action in the fight against coronavirus. So far, so good. One cannot forget however how the experience of suo moto powers in matters of statecraft has been bitter in the past.
A perception is being formed that the PM is simply incapable of working with the opposition. The Sindh government took a timely notice of coronavirus, set up a mechanism to test those coming from abroad and established proper isolation centers as early as February 26. Within weeks it announced the first lockdown. Its clear vision and efficiency won praise from an erstwhile hostile media. The PM nevertheless continuously opposed the lockdown while PTI MNAs viciously attacked the Sindh government.
Absence of firm action in matters of national emergency amounts to surrendering the civilian turf to non-elected institutions. There is still time for PM Imran Khan to join hands with the opposition to deal with the national calamity. If British Parliament could devise ways to meet during WWII when German bombers raided London unceasingly, why can’t the PTI govt find a way to hold parliamentary session through necessary innovations?
