THE situation prevailing in the country provides enough material for public ridicule. It is not only the people of this country, but foreigners too who are surprised over the confrontation between the institutions, and it is being said that Pakistan does not need external enemies now.

The economy is on the verge of collapse and people arecompelled to sell their children. Disaster has devastated the roads, infrastructure and homes. No reconstruc-tion of the damaged infrastructure is being carried out; in fact, the people are facing acute poverty and food shortages. On the other hand, our institutions are in the battlefield.. .

There seems to be no sign of sanity which is the need of the hour. Democracy is crying like an injured bird.... Such a scene was witnessed on Friday when ANP chief Asfandyar Wali moved a resolution expressing confidence in the democratic system. The resolution stressed all institutions of the state ... should fol-low the basic distribution of authority as envisaged in the constitution, and that all institutions should work within the given framework. ...The resolution further said that sovereignty lies with the people of Pakistan and that parliament is the repository of the collective wisdom of the people. ...Af ter the resolution was moved, the prime minis-ter said that ... if the nation does not want to have a five-year tenure then such an amendment to the constitutionshould be made. Though the resolution is a precious one ...

if we want to remove the disputes and contradictions forever ... all parties should [act] ... for the sake of the country and democracy. This will establish a new tradition. In the past we have ... [seen] democracy blocked and choked; today whatever we are braving in the shape of terrorism ... price hike [etc] is the ultimate result of this. ..— (Jan 15)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi