ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (APP):Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday urged the opposition to actively participate in parliamentary committees to strengthen Parliament, saying a strong legislature was essential for empowering the people of Pakistan.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said political leaders should move beyond political point-scoring and accusations and work collectively to ensure that Parliament played its constitutional role effectively.
Bilawal said the opposition’s decision to stay away from parliamentary committees, including the Finance Committee, had weakened Parliament and deprived its constituents of representation in important forums.
Addressing the Leader of the Opposition, he urged him to use his authority to direct opposition members, particularly those belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to return to key parliamentary committees.
He specifically called for opposition representation in the proposed Electoral Reforms Committee, saying its formation had been supported through parliamentary resolutions.
He said participation in the committee could provide a starting point for addressing concerns about electoral processes, including alleged irregularities and issues arising from by-elections.
The PPP chairman said that if the opposition genuinely wanted Parliament to become effective and address its concerns, it should participate in the relevant forums rather than remain absent.
Discussing regional and geopolitical developments, Bilawal called for a comprehensive briefing to Parliament on the security, economic and diplomatic challenges facing Pakistan.
He proposed that the finance, foreign affairs, defence and interior ministers, along with other relevant officials, briefed the House on the emerging regional situation, its potential consequences for Pakistan and the government’s preparations to address them.
He said developments linked to the Iran conflict, regional defence agreements and disruptions affecting important maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, could have significant implications for the global and Pakistani economies.
Bilawal stressed that every member of Parliament had the right to understand the potential risks facing the country, including terrorism, regional instability and economic pressures, as well as the government’s strategy to address them.
He said parliamentary committees could provide an effective platform for discussing these issues, bringing together the
government and opposition to develop a common understanding of national challenges.
He urged opposition members to participate in the proposed discussions and committees, saying collective engagement was necessary to strengthen democratic institutions and formulate responses to Pakistan’s security and economic concerns.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
