PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday urged National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai to use the “authority and power” delegated to him by jailed PTI founder Imran Khan to direct opposition members to participate in House committees and discuss pressing national issues.
He made the remarks while addressing the National Assembly during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa.
Addressing the House, Bilawal called for strengthening Parliament by taking decisions on matters of national interest collectively on a single platform.
“If Parliament is powerful, we are all powerful; this is the power bestowed on us by the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Urging the speaker and the government to fulfil their responsibilities, the PPP chairman also called on the opposition to play its role in the House.
“Those who want this House to remain dysfunctional and do not want the people of Pakistan to benefit from it have succeeded,” he said, pointing towards the opposition benches. “Congratulations to you,” he added sarcastically.
“You have played a part in helping these people achieve their objective,” he said, criticising the opposition.
Bilawal also criticised the opposition’s decision to boycott committee proceedings, saying it had contributed to the “weakening” of Parliament.
“It is your responsibility to represent your party, the people and your constituencies in these committees. However, you are not raising their concerns on the relevant platforms,” he said.
Turning to Achakzai, Bilawal urged the opposition leader to use the “authority and power” delegated to him and the Senate opposition leader by Imran Khan to direct opposition members to participate in committee proceedings and discuss pressing national issues.
Bilawal said that since Parliament had decided, on a motion moved by the PPP, to constitute a committee on electoral reforms, the opposition leader should nominate a representative to the committee and submit the name to the speaker’s office.
He recalled that the opposition had described electoral rigging as its “fundamental issue”.
Urging the opposition leader to participate in the committee’s proceedings, Bilawal said the move was necessary if the opposition wanted the issue of alleged rigging to be addressed before the next general election, local government polls or by-elections.
The PPP chairman also described participation in the committee as a fundamental step towards restoring Parliament’s respect and authority.
“I request the opposition to at least exercise the power it has,” he said, questioning the purpose of an electoral reforms committee if the opposition did not participate in its proceedings.
“If we make efforts to bring all stakeholders together in a committee or arrange a briefing on terrorism, economic and security issues, and other concerns without the opposition’s participation, it will be pointless,” he said.
Against the backdrop of the evolving geopolitical situation, Bilawal called for the foreign, interior and defence ministers to brief the House on the challenges facing Pakistan.
“Tell this House about the potential threats facing Pakistan and the region, particularly as three key maritime routes are closed,” he said.
He also called for a briefing on developments related to the war in Iran and its implications for Pakistan. In addition, he sought a briefing from the government on the recent defence pacts signed by Pakistan.
“Every member of this House has the right to be informed about the challenges facing Pakistan, whether terrorism or other domestic issues, the steps being taken to address them and their potential consequences in the days ahead,” he said.
Addressing a rally in Karachi earlier this month, Bilawal had also extended an olive branch to the opposition parties, saying their positive engagement with the federal government could result in the reversal of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PPP chairman had invited the opposition to join the Parliamentary electoral reforms process and “engage with the federal government”.
The Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The move had drawn criticism from the opposition.
PPP delegation meets Achakzai
Separately, a PPP delegation met Achakzai and invited the PTI to join the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, according to a statement the party issued on X.
The PPP delegation comprised of Raja Pervez Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar. Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas was also present.
The delegation invited Achakzai to participate in the parliamentary committee to promote consultation and discussion among parliamentary representatives on electoral reforms, the statement said.
Later, in a press conference, Ashraf said the PPP delegation had a meeting with Achakzai on Bilawal’s instructions to invite him to join the committee.
“The PPP wants the PTI to participate in parliamentary standing committees as well as the electoral reforms committee,” he added.
Achakzai had sought time to consult before responding to the invitation, he said.
The PPP has consistently sought to improve the electoral process, Ashraf said, adding that PTI also wanted electoral reforms.
“The PTI will respond to the PPP after consultations,” he said.
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