IN a show of strength, Prime Minister Imran Khan secured 178 votes, six more than required on Saturday to win vote of confidence from National Assembly.
Given the numbers of ruling and allied parties in lower house, the outcome is not surprising and augurs well to ensure continuity of policies.
Regardless of what his critics, especially opposition parties, say to advance their own narrative, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to voluntarily take vote of confidence from the house was a bold decision.
It will not be wrong to say that only PM Khan can take such daring decisions and this is the reason that generally people like him despite massive price hike and governance issues.
The vote of confidence proved that the Prime Minister still enjoys trust of the members of ruling and allied parties regardless of what transpired in the Senate elections where vested political interests tried to destabilise PTI government.
Those portraying themselves as champions and flag bearers of democracy stood totally exposed in the polls as they openly admitted how they induced lawmakers of the ruling party.
Anyway, the way allied parties such as MQM, PML-Q and GDA threw their weight behind the PM is commendable.
This is a real source of strength for the ruling party, which must take along the allies on important matters to avoid any confusion and misunderstanding.
The country can least afford instability, uncertainty at a time when major economic indicators are now on positive trajectory.
The PM’s win will not only be a source of strength for government to go ahead with its policies but will also give confidence to business community and investors to take forward the country on economic front.
The decision of retaining Hafeez Shaikh as finance minister will also have positive impact.
The Prime Minister also delivered a comprehensive speech in the National Assembly on Saturday in which he touched upon all important topics including what his government is planning for the future.
He said that his government plans to bring electoral reforms to ensure complete transparency in the elections.
To ensure that election results are acceptable to all, he said electronic machines would be introduced in the general elections.
This will also take the country towards greater political stability. However, for electoral reforms, the government will have to sit with all opposition parties.
The electoral reforms should also include measures that do away with malpractices in upper and lower house elections.
Responsibility rests with both ruling and opposition parties to lower the political temperature and create an enabling environment where discussions could be held on wide ranging electoral reforms.
The opposition must reconsider its stance on constitutional amendment regarding open ballot so that next Senate polls could be controversy free.
What happened outside Parliament between party workers of PTI and PML (N) leaders on the occasion of vote confidence is most unfortunate.
All political parties must train their workers to strictly follow self-discipline and proper decorum on all occasions and avoid unruly behaviour at all cost.
For democracy to succeed at grassroots level, moral training of all political workers and adhering to merit is need of the hour.
Empty slogans and indecent rhetoric could deliver nothing and only practical steps, with vision and foresight, could ensure desired results.
A serious course correction is required on part of all political parties to rise above their petty political interests and work towards required political stability.
Let opposition parties allow PTI government to complete its five year mandated term, as people are the best judge.
On the basis of PTI’s performance, people should decide their future government in the next general elections.
The present government has almost completed half of its tenure and it must now accelerate efforts to fulfil the promises made with the people.
Apart from Ehsaas programme, they must take steps that bring ease and relief in the lives of ordinary citizens of the country.
