Lately, the quality of debate in parliament has touched its nadir. Not only do the members of our assemblies exchange fisticuffs, they more often than not, use four -letter words against their political rivals also with rare abandon. They show least interest in legislating on issues which are the crying need of the time. Sometimes one feels whether parliament is worth spending billions of rupees on every year ?
Parliamentarians like Hussain Shaheed Suhurwardy, Mumtaz Daultana, Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Khan Abdul Qaiyum Khan, Baqi Baloch, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, to mention a few, are a rare commodity these days. There is no short cut to experience. Lately, youngsters like Murad Saeed and Bilawal, are often seen indulging in a slanging match both inside and outside parliament. The substance of their speeches leave much to be desired. Isn’t it about time their respective mentors advised them to show restraint in their speeches and avoid mud-slinging against each other and instead talk on issues rather than indulging in the character assassination of the leaders of the political parties on the other side of the political divide.
By talking tongue in cheek on important matters and wasting their words on non-issues, our so-called parliamentarins are doing no service to their electorate. Small wonder many people in this country have started questioning the very capacity and capability of the institution of parliamentary democracy to deliver.