ISLAMABAD: The government has invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to become part of a parliamentary committee tasked with introducing electoral reforms, seeking the opposition party’s participation in the process.
According to sources, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry contacted PTI Chief Whip Aamir Dogar by telephone to discuss matters related to the proposed electoral reforms committee.
During the conversation, the minister formally requested PTI to nominate its members for the parliamentary body and join the government’s efforts to introduce electoral reforms.
Tariq Fazal urged the opposition to submit its nominations to the National Assembly speaker at the earliest so that the committee could be constituted without further delay.
He maintained that PTI’s participation would strengthen Parliament and the democratic system. He also assured Dogar that representation in the committee would be determined according to the parliamentary strength of each political party.
According to the proposed composition shared by the minister, the committee would consist of 20 members, including 15 lawmakers from the treasury benches and five from the opposition.
However, Aamir Dogar questioned the proposed arrangement, asking what meaningful role the opposition could play with such limited representation.
He argued that the government should consider the formula adopted for the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms formed in 2013.
Dogar also stressed that the committee should first investigate allegations of election rigging and the alleged theft of PTI’s electoral mandate before moving towards broader electoral reforms.
He told the federal minister that he would consult the party’s parliamentary leadership before giving a formal response to the government’s invitation.
Responding to the concerns, Tariq Fazal said the committee’s terms of reference would be finalised after its official notification.
He assured the PTI leader that the government was willing to move forward with an open mind and a constructive approach.
The minister again urged the opposition to submit its nominations promptly, enabling the National Assembly speaker to issue the committee’s notification.
The proposed initiative comes amid continuing political differences between the government and PTI over electoral transparency, alleged irregularities in the previous general elections and the need for reforms in the country’s electoral system.
