Shahbaz Govt's 16 Month Performance Report Card
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00:00 If we talk about the 2008-2013 assembly, then the Pakistan People's Party, PMLN together
00:06 had legislated in such a high level that all the political forces at that time were shocked
00:15 at how they have strengthened the democratic system and closed the ways of the future democracy.
00:21 What kind of legislation was being done at that time?
00:24 What was the quality of debate?
00:26 Let us show you the important legislation that was being done from 2008-2013.
00:31 18th amendment was agreed upon unanimously.
00:34 In the 7th NSSC award, the reformation was done in the case of the police's self-independence.
00:38 19th amendment was agreed upon in the case of the judges' resignation.
00:41 20th amendment was agreed upon in the case of the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner.
00:46 Family Courts Amendment Bill was passed in 2008.
00:49 Anti-Money Laundering Bill was passed in 2009.
00:52 Benazir Income Support Program Bill was passed in 2009.
00:54 Islamabad High Court Act 2010.
00:56 National Commission on Human Rights Bill was passed in 2011.
00:59 National Commission on Vakar Niswa Bill was passed in 2012.
01:02 National Incident and Terrorism Authority Bill was passed in 2013.
01:07 In the 2008-2013 report of the PAFIN, they praised the assembly in a very high level.
01:14 The 5 years of 13th National Assembly achieved the legislative agenda
01:18 that altered the country's governance structure by ensuring provincial autonomy
01:24 and restoring the 1973 constitution and promoted women's empowerment.
01:29 This was the entire assembly's legislative agenda.
01:37 Fast forward.
01:39 This is from 2022-2023.
01:41 I am comparing this because the People's Party, PMLN, again, are legislating with consensus.
01:46 What is the legislation that is being tried?
01:51 Portus Shaddad's Bill of Stopping the Hate Crime in 2023.
01:54 Official Secret Amendment Bill of 2023.
01:56 Election Act Amendment Bill.
01:58 National Accountability Amendment Bill.
01:59 Supreme Court Judgments and Orders Bill.
02:01 Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act.
02:03 Temera Amendment Bill.
02:04 Disrespect to Parliament Bill.
02:06 National Commission on Foreign Relations Bill.
02:08 Protection of Journalists and Media Professional Amendment Bill.
02:10 National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Finance and Terrorism Authority Act.
02:14 E-Safety Bill and Data Protection Bill, which has severe sanctions on all digital media activists.
02:21 This was tried to be approved.
02:26 How will the current parliament remember all the political stakeholders of Pakistan,
02:33 who observe the politics of Pakistan?
02:35 Ahmed Bilal Mahmood, the Secretary of State, is with us.
02:38 Thank you very much, Ahmed Bilal.
02:39 Regarding the Assembly of 2008 and 2013, I told you that it was a great legislation.
02:44 We see many effects of it.
02:46 It stopped the way of the direct entry of Amritkirt.
02:49 And it was a hindrance in many places.
02:51 Sir, how will you analyze the legislation of this assembly,
02:54 and the way in which the legislation was done,
02:56 and how hastily and speedily, where people have not even read the bills,
02:59 how will you analyze this?
03:01 Thank you very much.
03:03 I think that the Assembly of 2008 and 2013,
03:09 the fundamental thing in it was that it was the first free assembly after the Amritkirt period.
03:15 Although there was an assembly from 2002 to 2008, and from 2002 to 2007,
03:21 but there were Amritkirt issues on it.
03:23 For a long time, Wajid Musharraf was its president.
03:27 After that, it was the first assembly of 2008, which was free.
03:33 At that time, the consensus of the entire state was that we have to move towards a democratic state.
03:41 So this was the fundamental philosophy,
03:43 because of which the assembly was creating such a law,
03:47 which was providing the foundations of the future democratic era.
03:51 It was almost like the constitution that was being created in Pakistan,
03:57 from 1972 to 1974.
04:02 So this was almost like the environment.
04:04 But now, in the present era of the assembly,
04:07 I have a doubt that there is an opinion that
04:12 perhaps limiting or controlling democracy in Pakistan is in the greater national interest of Pakistan.
04:20 I think so, because there is a pattern of laws that have been passed.
04:25 I have an idea of the political order that will come,
04:28 that there will be a controlled democracy in it.
04:32 That is why you see a difference in the type of legislation that has been passed in both the assemblies.
04:37 Sir, but in 2013 and 2022, perhaps your personal political priorities have also changed.
04:45 Because of this, the political force has become so weak that such legislation has to be implemented.
04:50 Because the priorities that we see here, first of all, NAB, its cases and all these matters had to be sorted out.
04:55 And is this such a weak political class that there is no debate on the bill,
05:01 there is no discussion and so much history has to be passed.
05:04 And a person like Sherry Rehman Sahib has to stand up and say that they should also pass the bill,
05:08 then there will be a debate on it.
05:10 Yes, one of his considerations is that when the political parties or political forces face such a threat,
05:18 an existential threat, it should be known that their clarification can also be made in the next election.
05:24 Then their considerations are different.
05:27 But when they know that there will be a competition in the coming period and there is no such scary thing,
05:35 then his consideration is different.
05:38 So I think he was aware and this is why this movement was passed without any doubt.
05:46 And the way in which the consensus was made, as a result of that consensus, this legislation was being implemented.
05:55 Because the 9th May incident also casts a very big shadow on these things.
06:02 Thank you very much, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob Sahib was with us.
06:05 He said that now the future of democracy in this country, the new political order that he sees,
06:12 according to that, we will see a very limited, very controlled and a very different kind of democracy.
06:21 And this is the fear of all these political parties in Pakistan.