Session 9 Assembly-Representative or not?

The assembly is defined as a representative body of the government that helps in passing legislation that meets the needs  of the public and therefore is a reflection of its’ opinions. Although the democratic theory implies that in principle assemblies should represent popular opinion, in reality assemblies seldom work that way.

In particular, it can be argued that, in Pakistan, the interests of certain political parties are the dominant factor in the law making as the doctrine mandate asserts .The political party that is dominant in these decisions is usually the party in power. It can be argued then that the real power lies mainly in the hands of the executive faction as the ruling party allies with the executive’s wishes.

 For example, in Pakistan despite of the existence of an opposition, the PML-N government and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has significant power in the formulation of laws and policies. The executive faction in the recent government is particularly strong, so much so that even the current president Mamnoon Hussain has been merely reduced to a ‘puppet’ president with minimal influence in determining public policy.

Moreover, the assemblies tend to be dominated by elitist politicians who are lobbying for their own interests mainly to advance certain ideological and capitalist goals.

In conclusion, the assembly may claim to be the’ voice of the people’ but is largely a tool for promoting executive interests and cannot be called representative.