AS the curtains fall on the tenure of the National Assembly, it leaves behind a legacy marked by highs and lows, victories and challenges. The journey of past five years has been one of turbulence and transition, underscoring the need for reflection and reform.
This Assembly witnessed a unique blend of political dynamics with the initial almost three and a half years dominated by the PTI-led coalition followed by a transition to the PML-N, PPP and other allies taking the reins. The early years with PTI sitting on the treasury benches were characterized by lofty rhetoric, ambitious agendas and pledges of transformative change. The PTI’s performance was disappointing as it failed to deliver on its promises be it related to the construction of houses or the employment generation. However, the legislation carried out during this period helped the country come out of the FATF’s grey list. Then other important pieces of legislation such as the Zainab Alert, Recovery and Response Act 2020 were also passed to effectively deal with the child abuse cases. However, this period was marred by political wrangling and heated exchanges. These dynamics, while indicative of a healthy democratic system, sometimes overshadowed the overarching goal of serving the nation’s interests and raised questions about the assembly’s ability to address urgent issues effectively and collaboratively. Then came the PML-N and the PPP at the helm of affairs. This period was also not without challenges. Indeed the prime responsibility of those sitting in Parliament is legislation but the way the lower house enacted laws during the last few days of its tenure, especially those relating to the establishment of universities really raised serious eyebrows not only amongst the public but those sitting inside parliament as well. We agree with the assertion of the legislatures who put forward the idea that Parliament should give the charter to those universities who first meet the criterion of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Doing so will ensure the quality of higher education, which is the need of the hour, to take the country in the right direction. As we move forward, the lessons of the past five years can serve as guideposts for the future. This underscores the importance of forging a united front in the face of challenges and prioritizing the nation’s wellbeing above all else.
