By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said sustainable democracy requires more than elections, stressing the importance of constitutional governance, representative institutions, accountability and strong public institutions.
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Speaking at an international conference on “Leadership, Sustainable Democracy and National Cohesion” in Lahore, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said the real test of leadership was not the attainment of power but leaving behind institutions that were strong, credible and capable of serving the public.
He said democracy provided a constitutional framework for differences of opinion and that disagreements should be addressed through institutions and the law rather than becoming a source of division.
“Listening to one another is an essential part of democratic practice,” he said, adding that strong institutions were fundamental to public trust and sustainable democracy.
The Punjab Assembly speaker said the assembly had established a Parliamentary Minorities Caucus to strengthen the participation of minority communities in the parliamentary process and contribute to the protection of their constitutional rights.
He said nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population was under the age of 30, making young people a central part of the country’s national and democratic life.
“Young people are not merely the future; they are already shaping the country’s future,” he said.
The speaker urged universities to promote dialogue, research, intellectual freedom and constructive disagreement among students. Young people, he said, should be encouraged to question, debate on the basis of evidence and listen to differing viewpoints.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also called for stronger interaction between universities and legislatures, saying academic research and evidence could contribute to the legislative process and help connect young people with public institutions.
He said the system of governance should operate according to law and that all citizens should enjoy their rights. Elected representatives, he added, brought public issues before the assembly, where they were debated by members from both the treasury and opposition benches.
Inviting university students to visit the Punjab Assembly, the speaker urged young people to “dream big”, saying the country’s future was closely linked to their aspirations.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said his return to Government College University Lahore as speaker of the Punjab Assembly and an Old Ravian was a matter of special honour.
He said the university had played an important role in shaping his intellectual and academic life.
