By Ghulam Haider Shaikh
The Pakistan Peoples Party’s recent walkout from the National Assembly and Senate, followed by its demand for an apology, has once again brought to light the fragile state of parliamentary ethics and political maturity in the country. Walkouts have long been used as a form of protest in parliamentary democracies, meant to signal dissent without destabilizing the institution itself. However, in Pakistan’s political culture, they have increasingly become tools of dramatization rather than meaningful democratic expression.
The PPP’s stance, rooted in its claim of being sidelined or disrespected during proceedings, reflects the growing intolerance for debate and dialogue within the country’s highest legislative bodies. Instead of confronting disagreements through parliamentary channels, parties now resort to boycotts and public posturing. Such behavior not only weakens the sanctity of parliament but also deprives the people of representation at moments when crucial national issues demand collective wisdom.
Demanding an apology may serve political optics, but it also exposes a deeper crisis of respect between government and opposition benches. The ruling coalition’s inability to maintain decorum in dialogue, and the opposition’s quick resort to walkouts, together highlight a shared failure, both sides are undermining the democratic process they claim to protect. True parliamentary strength lies in resilience, debate, and compromise, not in reactionary withdrawals.
For the PPP, which prides itself on being one of Pakistan’s oldest democratic forces, this episode should have been an opportunity to display patience and political maturity. Instead, the walkout reinforced an image of emotional politics rather than strategic opposition. At a time when the nation faces grave economic challenges, rising inflation, and external diplomatic pressures, such theatrics appear disconnected from the realities that ordinary citizens endure.
In the end, apologies may heal egos, but they will not strengthen democracy. What Pakistan needs is not symbolic outrage but a revival of parliamentary ethics where disagreement does not translate into dysfunction. The walkout may have made headlines, but it also made one thing clear: democracy cannot thrive on walkouts; it demands participation, dialogue, and a commitment to the greater national good. At a time when the economy has just begun to stabilize and Pakistan is gradually regaining international respect, such political attitudes risk pushing the country backward. If this culture of confrontation continues, it could once again shake investor confidence and drag both the economy and governance toward instability—even to the brink of default.
Digital Neglect in KP
The recurring issue of weak mobile signals and unreliable internet services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has once again sparked public outrage. In an era where digital connectivity defines both opportunity and progress, the province’s communication breakdown represents more than just technical inconvenience, it is a barrier to development, education, and social inclusion. For millions of residents, the inability to make calls, access online classes, or conduct digital transactions translates directly into economic and social isolation.
Despite repeated assurances from telecom authorities and provincial officials, little improvement has been observed. The problem is particularly acute in remote and mountainous districts, where connectivity is often completely lost for days. These are not isolated rural complaints but widespread failures that expose Pakistan’s digital divide. Ironically, while the federal and provincial governments boast of “Digital Pakistan” initiatives, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to struggle with the basics of communication.
The issue also reflects deeper structural negligence. Telecommunication companies prioritize profit-driven urban expansion while neglecting the infrastructural needs of less profitable rural regions. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Universal Service Fund (USF), tasked with ensuring equitable digital access, have failed to enforce accountability or transparency. Meanwhile, consumers continue paying high charges for services they barely receive.
This digital disconnect has serious national implications. Lack of reliable internet access restricts e-commerce, hampers governance, and limits youth empowerment in a province already struggling with unemployment and security challenges. Moreover, during emergencies, such as natural disasters or border incidents, poor connectivity puts lives at risk.
It is time the federal and provincial governments treated digital access as a public right, not a luxury. Telecom companies must be held accountable for service failures, and infrastructure investment should be made a top priority under the Public-Private Partnership model. The frustration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not just about dropped signals—it is a cry for inclusion in the modern world. Without connectivity, the promise of progress will remain out of reach.
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