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BByy ZZuullffiiqqaarr MMiirraanniiPRESIDENT Musharraf has left. The ruling coalition is jubilating on their triumph over

Mr Musharraf. I respect the views and opinion of all on the fall of the president and

salute the struggle and sacrifices of all the political and social activists and of all

sections of society that forced a dictator to bow down.

However, I regretfully disagree with the view that supremacy of parliament and the rule

of law have prevailed by the departure of Mr Musharraf.

Critically examining the representation of federating units in the National Assembly and

in other institutions that legislate, interpret and enforce law, supremacy and rule of

Punjab has rather prevailed. All resources, jobs, economic welfare opportunities,

finance and revenue of the provinces are held by Punjab in the name of the federation.

All institutions are controlled by Punjab.

People of smaller provinces are miserably suffering from starvation, hunger, and

extreme poverty. They are deprived of political power and authority over their own cities,

provinces and institutions.

The country is passing through an extremely difficult situation internally and externally.

The countrys salvation is at stake. God has given one golden opportunity to political

forces to take measures so that people of all federating units feel empowered and a

sense of ownership of the country prevails among them. It is only possible by providing

them right to rule on their own land.

The responsibility lies particularly with the two major political parties of the country now:

the PPP and PML(N) and the political leadership and civil society of the biggest

province.

Two provinces are already at loggerheads. There is extreme dissatisfaction in the

second biggest province. If the ruling coalition fails to grant rights to the people of

smaller provinces to rule on their land and for utilising their own resources (natural and

economic) for their development and welfare, it will have devastating effects on the

country.

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Constitutional package, as being prepared by the ruling coalition, should not be based

on grabbing more power for the rulers themselves, but for empowering people at the

grassroots level.

It is unfortunate that problems of the common people are very different from those of the

upper classes or ruling classes ( waderas, feudals and capitalists ) who indulge in

power politics. If the problems of people of the smaller provinces are not taken seriously

and addressed properly, it could prove to be the last opportunity for the ruling classes to

save the country from devastation.

Granting some top slots to waderas, sardars and khans from smaller provinces is no

solution to the real problems of the common people of these provinces.

True democracy will prevail when common people are empowered and inequalityamong the federating units is abolished once for all.

Published in

(1) Daily Dawn dated August 20, 2008

(2) Pak Tribune [link :http://paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=204708 ]

http://paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=204708http://paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=204708http://paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=204708http://paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=204708