IT was yet another bizarre night. In less than an hour, the government managed to steamroll a series of laws through both Houses of Parliament amid the opposition’s raucous protests. There was not even debate on these highly consequential pieces of legislation that are bound to impact the entire political spectrum in the country. One can only describe it as yet another act of deceptiveness on the part of the current dispensation that seems to have mastered the art.

Besides the anticipated increase in the number of Supreme Court judges and changes in the Practice and Procedure Act, which is meant to further tighten the executive’s hold on the country’s top judiciary, parliament also pushed through a number of controversial bills.

An earlier one, a few days ago, gave greater detention powers to the security forces. Reportedly, a controversial military-related clause had previously been dropped from the initial draft of the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment.

In this instance, it has been pointed out that parliament’s decision to extend the tenures of the military chiefs to five years has more to do with politics than any professional consideration. Parliament’s move is likely to have long-term implications for the democratic process in the country, and further compromise the civilian role in the power matrix, as it will consolidate the security establishment’s hold on the power structure. Indeed, these extensions should not be seen in isolation, and one can perceive the ruling coalition’s compulsions in making such changes to the laws.

The........

© Dawn