In a recent development, on Tuesday, the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly came together and unanimously passed a resolution aimed at curbing military interference in politics. The resolution specifically called for action against military officers who step beyond the limits set by the constitution.
Sher Ali Afridi, a representative from Peshawar, brought this issue forward during the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly session. After presenting the resolution, the speaker asked the members to show their support by raising their hands. The result was clear as every member present in the assembly backed the call, leaving no room for disagreement.
This move underscores the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly’s collective commitment to maintaining the balance between military authority and political governance. After the voting concluded, the Speaker initially declared that the House had unanimously approved the resolution. This statement sparked immediate protests from the opposition, who argued that they had not voted in favor of it.
In response to their objections, the Speaker later revised his announcement, clarifying that the resolution had actually been passed by a majority vote rather than unanimously. Despite the opposition’s protests, the resolution still gained the necessary support to move forward.
However, it is pertinent to mention here that the resolution reads as, “This House demands that every institution within its constitutional limits perform its duties according to the Constitution and the law.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly resolution also expressed deep respect for the military’s role, acknowledging the eternal sacrifices made by the army for the nation. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly resolution pointed out that the personal ambitions and stubbornness of a few military officers had caused significant and lasting harm to the country’s democracy—damage that, according to the resolution, is still ongoing.
This dual message highlighted the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly’s appreciation for the army’s service while firmly criticizing the actions of certain individuals within the military who have overstepped their constitutional roles, contributing to the erosion of democratic principles.
The resolution also strongly condemned the actions taken against the leadership and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). It demanded the immediate release of PTI leaders who were unconstitutionally and illegally arrested. The resolution went on to hold the federal government accountable for the disgraceful attack on the National Assembly. It condemned the government’s failure to protect such a key democratic institution and stressed the severity of the incident.
This section of the resolution placed blame squarely on the federal authorities, calling their handling of the situation unacceptable and a direct threat to the integrity of the nation’s democratic processes. It urged immediate corrective actions to prevent similar attacks in the future.
