Committee should have done more

THE committee of experts, formed to deliberate on issues relating to settlement of the judges’ issue, has finalized its recommendations, which would now go to the leadership of the Coalition Government. According to media reports, the Committee could not arrive at a consensus decision on how to implement the pledge of the ruling parties to restore the deposed judges mainly because of difference of opinion between Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and Abdul Hafeez Pirzada.
It was perhaps for the first time that a Committee constituted to formulate recommendations on an issue has come out with its report within the desired timeframe. But it was probably because of the fact that it could not agree on a formula and preferred to submit divergent views to the top leadership and that is why the media has reported that the ball is now in the court of Mr. Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif. We wish that the Committee should have presented a consensus report, making it easier for the leadership to go forward. That the Committee has again thrown the issue back to the two leaders to decide clearly shows that the very purpose of its formation has not been achieved. In a way, the divergent views propounded by the two sides would make it difficult for PPP and PML(N) leadership to reconcile their apparently conflicting approaches to resolve the judicial and constitutional crisis. In a sense, this amounts to embarrassing the leaders towards whom the entire nation is looking for fulfilment of the pledge they made at Bhurban to reinstate the sacked judges through a parliamentary resolution followed by an executive order. If it is not a wishful thinking, we visualize that both the leaders having popular support and acumen are cognizant of the need to bring the issue to an early closure and they will be able to find a middle way for the purpose. This is imperative in view of the fact that any disagreement would have disastrous consequences not only for the future of the ruling coalition but also people of Pakistan. We may emphasize that already the nation feels as having been hijacked by the judges’ issue and further delay in resolving the problem would compound agonies of the people. People rightly expect of their new leadership to squeeze some time to focus on the monstrous price-hike and shortage/disruption of essential items and services.