Two days ago, President Arif Alvi rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice to remove Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema from office, adding to the perception that a constitutional and procedural deadlock is being created in Pakistani affairs.
Now we all know that in parliamentary democracy, the president is the symbol of the federation. He may belong to any political outfit of the country, however, on assuming the high office of the presidency, it is expected of him to embrace the entire nation – including the fiercest of political foes. The nation looks up to him and draws a source of strength from the presidency, which is supposed to be the fountainhead of justice, fairplay and integrity.
So, when PTI chose Arif Alvi to be the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the decision was welcomed by all and sundry. Alvi deemed to possess all the above-mentioned qualities that president of a country should have. He was an epitome of decency, grace, politeness and benignity. These were important ingredients for the high-visibility job. Politicians from different hues and stripes had also no axe to grind with him.
The nation expected that Alvi would live up to the high standards of morality by putting away his political skin, snapping all ties with his mother party and donning the role of a real patriarch in execution of the presidential responsibilities.
But sadly, that was not to be.
When you take the oath of the President of Pakistan, you put to rest your political affiliations and wash your hands of not only loyalty to your parent party but also with its leadership – as long as you remain the occupant of the prestigious citadel called Aiwan-e-Sadr, in Islamabad.
You perch yourself on a high pedestal from where you become a father-figure to your nation. Any political preference or discrimination by the highest office of the republic degenerates the presidency into nothingness, degrading its exalted status manifold.
Sadly, President Arif Alvi is doing exactly the same.
His obsequious persona toward his PTI leader make him look too small a man to dwell in too big an abode on the hills of Islamabad.
Alvi's recent fiddling with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – in total disregard of his oath which he is bound to follow in letter and spirit – has brought a big question mark on his so-called honest credentials.
Otherwise known as a decent politician, it was not expected of Alvi to stoop to such levels that belittle the office of presidency so unabashedly.
First, falling too sick to take oath from the incumbent Prime Minister and then again taking ill to take oath of the new cabinet ministers, Alvi made mockery of not only his own office but that of burgeoning democracy of the country as well.
It seemed some crumbs of sanity returned when he finally showed up at the last oath-taking ceremony.
Taking a leaf from his leader, the Governor Punjab is creating obstacles in formation of government of Pakistan's largest province of over 110 million people, bringing a grinding halt to its smooth functioning. Alvi is seen hand-in-glove with the gubernatorial machinations, in sheer violation of the Constitution of Pakistan by stopping the PML-N from forming a government in Punjab.
Admittedly, Pakistan's political culture is now bordering on hate and revulsion: characteristics arguably not a good omen for democracy. It is a grim scenario where society is polarised to an extent where political opponents pounce at each other's throat, sometimes literally as well. This, of course, doesn't augur well for the future of this country.
Alvi had turned the presidency – euphemistically called Ordinance Factory – into a PTI outpost as it churned out ordinances lobbed at him from the PM House quicker than a waiter bringing cup of tea or coffee to your table in some swanky five-star restaurant.
In such challenging times, the nation badly needs a statesman to steer the rudderless ship of this wretched country out of violent seas to anchor on some calmer shores. The president could have been that one force. But regrettably, playing to the PTI gallery, he choses to beat the drums of divisiveness himself so loudly that it is difficult to imagine how a sane voice, if at all, could emerge out of this political entity called Pakistan.
The President's sending of a reference to the Supreme Court against Justice Qazi Faez Isa without following due process spoke exponentially of his predilections in issues of such sensitive nature.
At any rate, it is generally believed that history will not remember Alvi with kind words for his unconstitutional acts which were so unbecoming of his position.
If he did not agree with the outcome of the No Confidence Motion, it would have been lot better for him to call it quits in a graceful manner, rather than besmirching his name and that of the presidency.
Now we all know that in parliamentary democracy, the president is the symbol of the federation. He may belong to any political outfit of the country, however, on assuming the high office of the presidency, it is expected of him to embrace the entire nation – including the fiercest of political foes. The nation looks up to him and draws a source of strength from the presidency, which is supposed to be the fountainhead of justice, fairplay and integrity.
So, when PTI chose Arif Alvi to be the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the decision was welcomed by all and sundry. Alvi deemed to possess all the above-mentioned qualities that president of a country should have. He was an epitome of decency, grace, politeness and benignity. These were important ingredients for the high-visibility job. Politicians from different hues and stripes had also no axe to grind with him.
The nation expected that Alvi would live up to the high standards of morality by putting away his political skin, snapping all ties with his mother party and donning the role of a real patriarch in execution of the presidential responsibilities.
But sadly, that was not to be.
When you take the oath of the President of Pakistan, you put to rest your political affiliations and wash your hands of not only loyalty to your parent party but also with its leadership – as long as you remain the occupant of the prestigious citadel called Aiwan-e-Sadr, in Islamabad.
You perch yourself on a high pedestal from where you become a father-figure to your nation. Any political preference or discrimination by the highest office of the republic degenerates the presidency into nothingness, degrading its exalted status manifold.
Sadly, President Arif Alvi is doing exactly the same.
His obsequious persona toward his PTI leader make him look too small a man to dwell in too big an abode on the hills of Islamabad.
Alvi's recent fiddling with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – in total disregard of his oath which he is bound to follow in letter and spirit – has brought a big question mark on his so-called honest credentials.
Otherwise known as a decent politician, it was not expected of Alvi to stoop to such levels that belittle the office of presidency so unabashedly.
First, falling too sick to take oath from the incumbent Prime Minister and then again taking ill to take oath of the new cabinet ministers, Alvi made mockery of not only his own office but that of burgeoning democracy of the country as well.
It seemed some crumbs of sanity returned when he finally showed up at the last oath-taking ceremony.
Alvi's recent fiddling with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – in total disregard of his oath which he is bound to follow in letter and spirit – has brought a big question mark on his so-called honest credentials.
Taking a leaf from his leader, the Governor Punjab is creating obstacles in formation of government of Pakistan's largest province of over 110 million people, bringing a grinding halt to its smooth functioning. Alvi is seen hand-in-glove with the gubernatorial machinations, in sheer violation of the Constitution of Pakistan by stopping the PML-N from forming a government in Punjab.
Admittedly, Pakistan's political culture is now bordering on hate and revulsion: characteristics arguably not a good omen for democracy. It is a grim scenario where society is polarised to an extent where political opponents pounce at each other's throat, sometimes literally as well. This, of course, doesn't augur well for the future of this country.
Alvi had turned the presidency – euphemistically called Ordinance Factory – into a PTI outpost as it churned out ordinances lobbed at him from the PM House quicker than a waiter bringing cup of tea or coffee to your table in some swanky five-star restaurant.
In such challenging times, the nation badly needs a statesman to steer the rudderless ship of this wretched country out of violent seas to anchor on some calmer shores. The president could have been that one force. But regrettably, playing to the PTI gallery, he choses to beat the drums of divisiveness himself so loudly that it is difficult to imagine how a sane voice, if at all, could emerge out of this political entity called Pakistan.
The President's sending of a reference to the Supreme Court against Justice Qazi Faez Isa without following due process spoke exponentially of his predilections in issues of such sensitive nature.
At any rate, it is generally believed that history will not remember Alvi with kind words for his unconstitutional acts which were so unbecoming of his position.
If he did not agree with the outcome of the No Confidence Motion, it would have been lot better for him to call it quits in a graceful manner, rather than besmirching his name and that of the presidency.