It happened in Kuwait which never happened before

Kuwait during the last few months in general and few weeks in particular has witnessed something very much unprecedented or more correctly unexpected but what to do, fact is a fact and it is of no consequence whether you like it or not.

H. H. Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait has elevated Deputy Prime Minister cum Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah to the post of Prime Minister since Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah appointed as Prime Minister in February 2006 has on 29^th November, 2011 tendered resignation from premiership along with his cabinet ministers and Amir had to accept their resignations. In a manner Amir has very beautifully unknotted the problem created between the members of the parliament and government but yet lot is to be accomplished to completely bring bank the lone and the tranquility which prevailed for a very long period of time barring the recent turmoil. Kuwait is exceptionally one of those few countries where both life and honor of individuals is very much protected and people live a very happy life. I am a Pakistani living her since 1978 and during all these years I have observed that this is a very peaceful country where not only its own citizens but also expatriates like me are living very happy life.

I would avail this opportune to talk numerically and compare Kuwait with Pakistan the country I belong to and Saudi Arabia where I have worked before coming to Kuwait which will facilitate to understand the situation a bit better. Monetary affluence wise as per World Bank rating, Kuwait tops amongst the three countries mentioned above with per capita income of $ 52,652 whereas Saudi Arabia stands in between as its figure is $ 25,545 and Pakistan is the last amounting to just $ 2,674. This proves that an average Kuwaiti is almost double rich than a Saudi who also belongs to an oil exporting country like Kuwait but still Kuwaiti has an edge over Saudi. As regards their respective population, Pakistan heads since its figure reads 177,970,000 persons whereas Saudi Arabia is again in the middle numbering 27,136,977 while Kuwait is at the bottom whose count is just 2 818,000. All the three have parliaments though they differ in composition, election/selection of members etc. Pakistan legislature has bicameral system wherein its parliament has National Assembly (lower house) and Senate (upper house) but in case of Kuwait and Saudia Arabia both of them have opted for unicameral approach.  Pakistan National Assembly has 277 elected members (leaving out nominated members and members against reserved seats) and if you divide this number with the total population of the country you find that each member is for a population of 642,491. As regards Kuwait, it has 50 elected members in its National Assembly and each member caters for 563,600 persons. So far as Saudi Arabia in concerned, its legislative body is called Majles e Shura and all 150 members are appointed by King of the country and as per population 180,946 people have one member of shura.

From figures it is established in quite crystal clear terms without any doubt and ambiguity that Kuwaiti is the most richest amongst the three but at the same time it is very ironical that some of Kuwait legislative members have been accused of getting hefty amounts from Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser which as such has sparked very violently and the country had witnessed the unprecedented protests. People have even exceeded their limits to voice against PM which ultimately resulted that PM was left with no choice but to tender resignation along with his entire cabinet ministers. A day earlier three ministers (Health; Social Development; Justice & Labour) had resigned at their own since they could not any more withstand the pressure of the opposition and preferred to be aloof from political turmoil. It has been reported in all the newspapers whether Arabic or English that a sum of $ 350 million has been paid in bribes to about 14 members of the parliament and this news has literally lit the whole country in its truest sense and application. It will be quite appropriate to mention that ever since Shaikh Nasser who is 1^st cousin of Amir took over as Prime Minister in Feb 2006, one way or the other he had been on odds with parliament members and honestly speaking he had very rough and tough time from the parliament members. Kuwait constitution empowers assembly members to grill ministers and prime minister if found guilty hence Sheikh Nasser and his cabinet ministers had been grilled in past on many counts like money laundering and other malpractices but one way or the other he could survive. It was January 2011, when he very fortunately saved himself from ouster as 27 parliamentarians voted in his favors while another 25 voted against him so none of the two parties could win or defeat but had even one more parliamentarian been against PM then the votes tally would have been 26 which as such had shown exit door to the premier but he survived. 

Sheikh Nasser over the period had faced so much opposition that he not only changed some of his ministers to settle down the dust but also resigned 7 times along with his entire cabinet but each time Amir reinstated him with some changes in cabinet of ministers but one way or the other this too could not solve the problem. Amir under the most tiring situations went to the extreme even and dissolved the national assembly for three times just to keep the situation under control and satisfy the opponents but it proved to be a temporary step since as and when new elections were held, new assembly was formed, some members again rose up and moved a motion in the assembly against Prime Minister asking him to answer to many questions.

Wednesday 16^th November, 2011 proved to be worst possible day in the legislative history of Kuwait because this day some members of the national assembly led a big rally of people and raided the assembly building. They entered the main hall, raised slogans against prime minister and damaged some furniture etc and extra police force had to be called in to chuck out the invaders from inside the assembly hall. People did not listen to police and therefore National Guards which is semi military outfit had to be called in to restore normalcy. Tear gas shells were fired to scatter the crowd. A few protesters and police men were injured and had to be given treatment. Police had detained some of those who participated in raid over the assembly building. It also lifted finger prints of those who entered the assembly hall while in house cameras also facilitated police to catch the protesters. Police have filed cases against many and most of them have been detained and facing the music. Prosecution has asked assembly to life immunity of some of those prominent members of the assembly who were front runners in this turmoil.

It is very much anticipated that Amir is likely to dissolve national assembly which is one of the loudest demand of those assembly members who on one hand did not receive any money and on other hand they want to expose those who have been bribed by the premier. National assembly session was scheduled on Wed 23^rd when assembly members were supposed to vote either in favor or against prime minister but ever since premier has tendered resignation on Tuesday 22^nd, the question of grilling the prime minister automatically died out thus speaker of the assembly did not for assembly session on the day. What is feared now that if the national assembly is dissolved then all the assembly members will no more will be enjoying immunity and hence those members who have been accused of getting money as political bribery may like be arrested and if so then there could be another quarrel between the two powerful pillars namely assembly and executive but how this could be avoided is not that simple question in any case.

The most shocking part of the whole episode is that some assembly members have been paid very hefty money as a political bribery so that they do not vote against the government as and when their votes are required. One Arabic newspaper did not personify the member of the parliament but wrote that one member got 12 million while his wife got 25 million in the last cabinet. It is a fact and not fiction that time and again assembly members have not only been threatened to grill many ministers and prime minister but they did exercise their political tool and brought many ministers to face the music while premier had to come to podium to reply to those questions and allegations. Isn’t it a very mind boggling question that already rich members became further rich without any efforts on their part whatsoever? Who gives even a dime for nothing what to talk six digit dinars figure?

Money which is life blood in most of the cases has played very dirty role earning nothing but blot for both Kuwait and its citizens and it will take years if not decades to wipe off the black spot so earned by the country which is known for peace and tranquility where people from over 100 countries are living peacefully. Alas! Some dust and due fallen on the face of Kuwait be removed and its face should shine out again I very sincerely wish and pray.