THE Election Commission of Pakistan has suspended the membership of as many as 154 lawmakers as they have still not submitted details of their assets and liabilities.

To me this is not just ordinary news as one may think of, rather it is mind-boggling to know that none but our lawmakers themselves respect our law.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, there must a clause in the application form to become an MPA, MNA or a senator, asking the applicant to declare his or her assets and liabilities and, therefore, all those 154 defaulters must have read the clause but then why did they not fulfil their obligation.

They are our lawmakers who decide about the fate of millions of Pakistanis and, hence, all those who voted for them to be elected as lawmakers had placed blind confidence in them, believing that they will guard the best interest of the people and the country.

Then, on the top of it, they have taken the oath wherein they pledged that they will respect the laws of the country and if so, then why did they betray the oath they have taken?

The ECP had issued reminders to all those who had not submitted their statements and they were many more than these 154 but one way or the other they did not comply with the instructions of the ECP while many had submitted the same.

This is very unfortunate on their part. The ECP suspension means that they cannot attend any session of the parliament and if they cannot attend the parliament, then what type of parliamentarians they are. How much laurels did they earn by not submitting their assets and liabilities?

Till what time they will not submit the same is my simple question for them? Who advised them not to submit or for that matter who will advise them now to submit their assets and liabilities?

The more I think of these 154 defaulters the more I am ashamed of myself, of course for none of my fault except that I being myself a Pakistani like them have defamed myself and lowered my head in shame and disgust.

IQBAL HADI ZAIDI Kuwait