Session 10: Power games

The system of parliamentary executives greatly affects Pakistan's internal dynamics of power. Since the political executive is chosen by the assemble, there is no separation of personnel between the legislature and executive. Nawaz Sharif is in reality the head of our government with his power being derived from PMLN's majority in the assembly and since he maintains control of patronage, the strings of the country are ultimately all in his hands.The key to Nawaz's power really lies in his position as party leader.This power has grown tremendously over recent years than it was during Zardari's time when most power lay with the president. Today the president, Mamnoon Hussein is merely a puppet figure filing a ceremonial position. But this centralization of power in the hands of one individual alongside the subordination of ministers and cabinet creates a form of absolute monarchy. The system must be criticized for it lessens the assembly's debating purposes and weakens scrutiny of legislation. Not only that, strengthened centralization will eventually weaken the power of the government departments, the cabinet and the bureaucracy. With the opposition in the assembly having vowed to silence, Nawaz has been left free to do as he wills without any checks. This system only creates an illusion of democracy then if one individual's wishes shall run the country. One is then forced to wonder, how can one individual be trusted to make decisions that shall be equivocal in benefiting all factions of a nation? How then do we have a right to call ourselves a democracy?