Comments on: Controversial powers

By: Ijaz Ali Chishit

Ijaz Ali Chishit — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:01:42 +0000

This is very informative, rather reformatory article. This issue need to be debated more in order to find out any domocrative norm to be applied in case of emergancy which is being countered through ordinances being promulgated by the Executive.

By: Mayur

Mayur — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:50:49 +0000

Pak…a democracy…???…stop comparing ur selves to india which is decades ahead of u …or even Bangladesh which is doin better….pak is the odd one out in the entire region.

By: Cyrus Howell

Cyrus Howell — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 11:56:28 +0000

Pakistan is not a democracy. It is an imperial system. Democracy is merely the default when dictators are temporarily out of power.

By: Mayank

Mayank — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 06:25:51 +0000

Since when is Pakistan a democracy?

By: dev

dev — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 06:16:14 +0000

The author fails to mention an important safeguard – that parliament has to subsequently ratify an ordinance, either as is or in an amended form, or it lapses automatically in six month. This is true of India at least, I do not have any information about the two other countries being critiqued. But in any case, I am sure that other parliaments too have the option of striking down any obnoxious ordinance when they do subsequently convene.

While certainly not the most desirable instrument of legislation, it has rarely been abused from what I can tell. In one case, the law was amended for a river water sharing formula – clearly, thirsty people in acute distress cannot wait for parliament to meet!

By: MP

MP — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:44:04 +0000

The government in power normally commands majority in Parliament. The Ordinance is issued when the Parliament is not in session and it would be ratified by Parliament when the session is convened. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh share a common type of bureaucracy handed to us by the British. Since then the Bureaucrats (originally the ICS officers) later taken over by country-specific service, have indelible impression in their minds that only they can run the government, not the legislators who may not be qualified or trained. This scenario does not exist anywhere else in the world. Where Bureaucracy is heavy, politicians do not have much say in the governance of the country.

By: skchadha

skchadha — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:03:00 +0000

To my little knowledge, in India Ordinance lapses, if it is not ratified by parliament within six months. There are very many examples where Acts have lapsed due to Parliament not ratifying/ amending them?

By: umesh bhagwat

umesh bhagwat — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:48:56 +0000

It is high time that we let go of past traditions and look confidently to the future! Our democratic model needs to be restructured. Democracy has to become more transparent and participatory!