Democracy within Political Parties
On June 9, the Peshawar Chapter held a seminar on Democracy within Political Parties at the Press Club. Mr Masud Kausar, former Speaker of Provincial Assembly; PPP’s Mr Ghani Gul Mehsud, PPP’s Provincial Finance Secretary, Mr Tajudin Khan, Awami National Party's Secretary General, Syed Mukhtar Bacha, National Party's Provincial President, Women Rightists’ Activist Ms Rukhshanda Naaz, FATA Democratic Forum's Malik Abdul Rahim, , Aurat Foundation's Ms. Nusrat, and NGO's Alliance Mr. Shakeel Waheedullah, spoke at the seminar.
Mr Shamim Shahid, President Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa LFP and Mr. Kamal Idrees of Aman Tehrik Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa conducted the proceedings.
Mr Shamim Shahid highlighted the objectives of the meeting which was to encourage democracy within political parties. He said that since a long the LFP is working for strengthening of democracy, supremacy of constitution, rule of law, tolerance, patience, safeguarding of the human and women rights and promotion of liberal views in the ountry.
Mr Shahid pointed out that through 18th amendment, the clauses pertaining to holding of elections within parties has been repealed. On such grounds, the LFP initiated steps to convince leaders and workers of the political parties for ensuring elections within the political parties. Instead of going into Constitution and legal complications, holding of elections or strengthening of "democracy within the political parties" must be promoted as a tradition. Through such steps, on one hand, affairs of the political forces might be put on right track and on the other it could
help in strengthening the democratic process.
Mr Tajuddin of ANP reminded the audience that his party has been following the democratic means within its own ranks. Every set up or body is elected for a period of four years right from ward till central level. He explained in depth the party's bodies for holding and supervising the electoral process and also awarding of tickets for elections. He also explained party's forums and their functions.
Mr Mehsud of PPP said that his party believes in democracy and all its workers openly criticize the party leaders and object to their decisions. He said that since its inception, PPP has never permitted dictatorial forces to go for strengthening of democracy within the party. The dictators and their puppets created problems and crises for the PPP but it survived. On the other hand, without mentioning name of ANP, he said that some of the parties are known for "controlled" democracy or set up. He, however, agreed that democracy within political forces could help in strengthening the democratic institutions and could discourage dictatorship.
Syed Mukhtar Bacha of NP, Rukhshanda Naaz, Nusrat and Shakeel Waheed Ullah expressed identical views on the subject. They said that except Jamaat Islami and ANP, no other political party holds regular elections. Nusrat questioned as to whether the leaders of leading political parties have taken their workers into confidence regarding the 18th amendments. She along with Shakeel Waheed Ullah said that no one amongst the political forces take interest in creating awareness amongst the workers.
Malik Abdul Rahim Afridi and Zar Ali Khan Musazai of FATA Democratic Movement expressed their concern that FATA was totally neglected in the 18th amendment. In this respect, Tajudin of ANP reminded that almost of the political forces have raised a unanimous call for reforms in FCR and tribal system but the FATA Parliamentary group had opposed it.
Shakeel Waheed Ullah said that 18th amendment was a valuable opportunity but the political parties wasted it.
Barrister Masud Kausar of PPP appreciated LFP for such initiatives, saying "such a debate could enable the workers of different political forces to insist on "democracy within the political forces." He said that it is the right time to go for strengthening of democratic process as only a democratic government could handle matters in a competent fashion. Unfortunately, he said that military dictators have not only disrupted the democratic process from time to time but they also twisted the constitution for their own nefarious designs. They also destablised the democratic process with introduction of local bodies system, holding of general election on non-party basis, blocking diehard, seasoned, experienced and competent politicians through one or the other ways of entrance into parliament.
He was of the opinion that political parties should go for strengthening of the democratic process, which is possible by exposing the hidden elements paving the ways for military dictators. In this respect, he also stressed upon discouraging of horse trading in national politics.
During the question-answer hour, the audience from different walk of life asked the speakers and representatives of different political forces to ensure elections within their parties. They also drew their attention to policies of leading political parties for awarding tickets to those who are known for somersaults in their political career. Horse trading must be discouraged at any cost.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Shamim Shahid thanked the participants on behalf of LFP and said that whatever might be the circumstances, democracy within political parties must be promoted. Even it should be made obligatory tradition for the better future of democracy. He also said that before going for further reforms, the present government must announce "extension of political parties act to FATA. The political forces must take its workers into confidence on main issues and promote awareness amongst them.
Peshawar Chapter Elects New Office-Bearers
On March 16, the Peshawar Chapter convened a meeting of members to elect the office bearers for 2010.Mr Muhammad Ayaz Khan was unanimously elected as the President, Mr Ihtesham Toru as the General Secretary and Mr Nadar Khan as the Information Secretary.
