ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday urged National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who also heads the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), to use his “authority and power” to direct the opposition members to participate in parliamentary committees.
Mr Achakzai became the NA opposition leader on the directives of incarcerated PTI chief Imran Khan, who nominated him and Senator Raja Nasir Abbas for the opposition leader slots in the National Assembly and the Senate, respectively. Both leaders were also tasked with leading the talks with the government.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Mr Bhutto-Zardari called for strengthening parliament by collectively deciding on matters of national interest 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 called on the opposition to play its role in the house. He also urged the opposition to name its representatives for a proposed parliamentary committee on electoral reforms. He said the opposition’s decision to boycott the committee proceedings weakened 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 added.
Bilawal seeks briefing on recent defence accords, geopolitical challenges
Sharing details of the committee, the PPP leader said parliament decided to constitute a committee on electoral reforms in response to a PPP request and that the opposition leader should nominate a representative to the committee since the opposition had described electoral rigging as a “fundamental issue”.
He said participation in the electoral committee was necessary to address this issue before the next general election, local government polls, or any by-elections. The PPP chairman also described participation in the committee as a crucial 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.
Seeks briefing on challenges
The PPP leader also sought a briefing from the foreign, interior, and defence ministers on issues faced by Pakistan. “Tell this House about the potential threats facing Pakistan and the region, particularly as three key maritime routes are closed,” he said. The PPP leader also called for a briefing on developments related to the Iran war and its implications for Pakistan, besides a briefing 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.
This is not the first time the PPP chairman has invited the opposition to join the electoral reforms committee. Earlier this month, he 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 Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
PPP delegation meets Achakzai
Later in the day, a PPP delegation called on Mr Achakzai with an invitation for the PTI to join the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms. The PPP delegation, comprising Raja Pervez Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar, invited Mr Achakzai to participate in the parliamentary committee to promote consultation and discussion among parliamentary representatives on electoral reforms, the statement said.
In a subsequent press conference, Mr Ashraf said the PPP delegation met Mr Achakzai on Bilawal’s instructions. He said Mr Achakzai had sought time for consultations before responding to the invitation.
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
