PPP delegation meets opposition leaders Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, seeking cross-party participation in parliamentary efforts to improve election transparency.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s opposition has indicated willingness to consider joining a proposed parliamentary committee on electoral reforms following outreach by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), as political efforts continue to build consensus on improving the country’s electoral system.
A PPP delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman met Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Friday, October 30, and invited opposition parties to participate in the proposed committee.
Rehman said Abbas had welcomed the delegation and would respond after consulting relevant political leadership. She expressed hope that the opposition would give a positive response to the invitation.
However, the opposition has not yet formally confirmed its participation. Its leaders have sought time for consultations before making a final decision.
PPP Seeks Opposition Participation in Electoral Reforms
The PPP delegation included Senator Sherry Rehman, party Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari, Senator Waqar Mehdi and Nadeem Afzal Chan.
During the meeting, Rehman urged all political parties to participate in the proposed committee, present their reservations and submit recommendations for improving the electoral process.
She said parliamentary committees were central to legislative work and stressed that opposition participation was important for strengthening Parliament.
Rehman also encouraged PTI lawmakers to return to other parliamentary committees, which they had boycotted following party directives.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Calls for Political Engagement
The latest outreach follows PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s appeal in the National Assembly on Thursday.
Bilawal urged Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai to nominate opposition representatives for the electoral reforms committee.
He argued that allegations of electoral irregularities should be addressed through parliamentary discussions and institutional reforms.
The PPP chairman said the opposition should use parliamentary forums to raise its concerns rather than remain absent from committee proceedings.
He also stressed that electoral reforms were necessary ahead of future general elections, local government polls and by-elections.
Achakzai Also Seeks Time for Consultation
A separate PPP delegation had earlier met Mahmood Khan Achakzai to invite opposition parties to join the proposed committee.
The delegation, which included former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar, conveyed Bilawal’s invitation.
Achakzai sought time to consult before responding to the proposal.
The discussions indicate that the PPP is seeking participation from opposition representatives in both the National Assembly and Senate.
Committee Aims to Improve Electoral Transparency
The proposed parliamentary committee is expected to bring government and opposition representatives together to develop recommendations for electoral reforms.
According to the PPP’s position, the committee will prepare proposals for Parliament’s consideration, with the broader objective of improving transparency and confidence in the electoral process.
Opposition participation could provide a platform for parties to raise concerns about election procedures, suggest amendments and discuss measures to strengthen the credibility of future polls.
PTI Participation Remains a Key Question
PTI lawmakers previously withdrew from parliamentary standing committees following directions from their party leadership.
The PPP has repeatedly urged the party to reconsider its boycott and participate in parliamentary proceedings.
Whether PTI formally accepts the invitation will be an important development in determining the level of cross-party participation in the proposed electoral reforms process.
