ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PTI-led opposition on Wednesday agreed to maintain political contact and increase cooperation on legislative matters, marking a potentially significant development in efforts to strengthen the parliamentary process.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas at Parliament House, where the two sides discussed parliamentary affairs, electoral reforms and the wider political situation.
The meeting was also attended by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and PTI’s Aamir Dogar.
Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Nadeem Afzal Chan accompanied Bilawal.
PPP seeks opposition’s return to parliamentary committees
During the meeting, Bilawal urged opposition parties to participate in parliamentary committees and play a more active role in the legislative process.
The opposition representatives said they would make a decision on the proposal after consultations with PTI founder Imran Khan.
Both sides, however, agreed to increase contacts on legislation and other parliamentary matters.
Bilawal also called for opposition participation in developing electoral reforms aimed at improving transparency and confidence in future elections.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the PPP chairman described the engagement as a “good start”, saying his party wanted parliament to function effectively and elected representatives to fulfil the mandate given to them by voters.
He urged the opposition to reconsider its boycott of the parliamentary process, arguing that both government and opposition parties had raised concerns about Pakistan’s electoral system.
Bilawal calls for consensus on electoral reforms
Bilawal said electoral reforms could provide common ground for political parties despite their wider differences.
He argued that complaints about the electoral process frequently emerge after elections and that political parties should therefore work together to establish a system enjoying broader confidence.
The PPP chairman said the latest meeting had helped reduce the “communication gap” between his party and the opposition and opened discussions on issues where cooperation could be achieved relatively quickly.
Electoral reforms, he suggested, were among the areas where political forces could attempt to build consensus.
The development is notable because the PPP remains a major partner supporting the federal coalition government, while PTI and its allies constitute its principal political opposition.
Bilawal welcomes Imran Khan medical development
Bilawal also welcomed the development concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding his transfer to hospital, describing it as consistent with democratic traditions.
His remarks came as the federal government separately sought a review of the Supreme Court order directing that the incarcerated former premier be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
No talks on 28th Amendment, Bilawal says
Responding to questions about speculation surrounding a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment, Bilawal said the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had held no discussions on such an amendment.
On proposals for the creation of new provinces, he said the PPP would respect public opinion and support decisions reached through mutual understanding.
“We will never accept anything by force,” he said.
PPP-opposition contacts gain political significance
The meeting follows recent outreach by the PPP to opposition parties amid political differences between the PPP and PML-N over several issues.
Tensions between the coalition partners have also surfaced following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, with PPP leaders raising allegations of electoral manipulation.
Despite those differences, the PPP has not indicated that it intends to leave the ruling coalition.
The latest engagement with the opposition could instead provide a channel for cross-party cooperation on parliamentary and electoral issues at a time when political polarisation has repeatedly disrupted proceedings in parliament.
Whether the contacts develop into sustained cooperation will depend partly on the PTI leadership’s response to the PPP’s proposal for greater participation in parliamentary committees.
