Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has urged opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai to use the authority entrusted to him by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and encourage opposition lawmakers to participate in parliamentary committees and address key national issues.
Bilawal made the remarks while speaking in the National Assembly during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa.
Calling for a stronger parliamentary system, the PPP chairman said national issues should be discussed and resolved collectively through Parliament.
“If Parliament is powerful, we are all powerful; this is the power bestowed on us by the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Bilawal urged the government and the speaker to fulfil their responsibilities while stressing that opposition parties must also play an active role in parliamentary proceedings.
He criticised opposition lawmakers for contributing to what he described as Parliament’s dysfunction, arguing that their absence had helped those seeking to weaken the institution achieve their objectives.
“You have played a part in helping these people achieve their objective,” he said, addressing the opposition benches sarcastically.
Bilawal also expressed concern over the opposition’s boycott of committee meetings, saying the decision had weakened Parliament and prevented elected representatives from raising the concerns of their parties, constituents and the public through the appropriate forums.
He called on Achakzai to use the authority delegated to him, along with that given to the Senate opposition leader by Imran Khan, to encourage opposition members to return to committee proceedings and engage in discussions on pressing national matters.
Referring to a parliamentary committee established through a motion moved by the PPP, Bilawal asked Achakzai to nominate a representative for the electoral reforms committee and submit the name to the speaker’s office.
He recalled that the opposition had repeatedly identified alleged electoral rigging as one of its primary concerns.
Bilawal argued that meaningful participation in the committee was necessary if the opposition wanted electoral grievances addressed before the next general election, local government polls or by-elections.
He described engagement in the electoral reform process as an important step towards strengthening Parliament’s credibility and authority.
“I request the opposition to at least exercise the power it has,” he said, questioning the effectiveness of an electoral reforms committee if opposition representatives remained absent.
The PPP chairman added that efforts to convene parliamentary discussions on terrorism, economic challenges, national security and other important matters would have limited value without opposition participation.
Highlighting Pakistan’s evolving geopolitical circumstances, Bilawal called on the foreign, interior and defence ministers to brief Parliament on emerging challenges confronting the country.
He urged the government to inform lawmakers about potential threats to Pakistan and the wider region, particularly amid the reported closure of three major maritime routes.
Bilawal also sought a detailed briefing on developments surrounding the Iran war and its possible consequences for Pakistan. He called for Parliament to be informed about recently signed defence agreements as well.
He maintained that every member of the National Assembly had the right to understand the country’s security and domestic challenges, the government’s response and the potential implications for the future.
Earlier this month, Bilawal had extended an invitation to opposition parties to engage constructively with the federal government, suggesting that positive political engagement could help facilitate the reversal of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He had also called on the opposition to participate in parliamentary discussions on electoral reforms and maintain dialogue with the Centre.
The federal government imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in KP on October 11, citing what it described as the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from counterterrorism efforts. The decision drew criticism from opposition parties.
Separately, a PPP delegation met Achakzai and invited the PTI to participate in the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, according to a statement issued by the party on X.
The delegation included former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar. Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas was also present at the meeting.
The PPP said the delegation encouraged Achakzai to join the committee to facilitate consultation and discussion among parliamentary representatives on proposed electoral reforms.
Speaking at a subsequent press conference, Ashraf said the meeting had been held on Bilawal’s instructions to extend the invitation to Achakzai.
He said the PPP wanted the PTI to participate in both parliamentary standing committees and the electoral reforms committee.
According to Ashraf, Achakzai requested time to consult before responding to the offer.
Ashraf said the PPP remained committed to improving the electoral system and noted that the PTI had also expressed support for electoral reforms.
He added that the PTI would communicate its decision after completing consultations.
