Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday announced that the National Assembly has approved the formation of a 30-member parliamentary committee to deliberate on electoral reforms, with representation from both houses of parliament. "The proposed committee will comprise 20 members from the National Assembly and 10 from the Senate, with seat allocations determined by the numerical strength of political parties in their respective houses," he stated on X.
Chaudhry noted that the finalization of member names is underway, and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will soon issue a formal notification. He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not oppose the motion.
The minister emphasized that electoral reforms are a collective national responsibility aimed at strengthening democracy, and that all workable proposals from the opposition will be considered to ensure a transparent system. In a related development, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formally invited opposition parties to join the committee.
On the instructions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a delegation led by Senator Sherry Rehman met with Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Abbas sought time to consult the PTI leadership, though sources indicate the opposition is willing to participate.
Sherry Rehman stated that the committee aims to foster consensus for free and fair elections. She highlighted that the current political climate necessitates a unified approach to legislative reforms.
The delegation emphasized that the government is committed to an inclusive process where every political stakeholder has a voice in shaping the future of the country's electoral framework. Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan suggested that the committee should have equal representation from the government and the opposition to ensure balance.
He maintained that for any reform to be credible, the opposition must have a significant say in the decision-making process, rather than being sidelined by a simple majority. Regarding Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman's recent parliamentary speech, Gohar expressed regret over certain remarks.
He urged that political rhetoric should not compromise parliamentary decorum, noting that the sanctity of the house must be preserved regardless of ideological differences. Political analysts suggest that the formation of this committee is a critical step toward addressing long-standing grievances regarding the electoral process.
By involving all major parties, the government hopes to mitigate post-election controversies that have historically plagued the nation's democratic transition. The committee is expected to review existing laws, including the Elections Act, and propose amendments that could enhance the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The focus will likely remain on the use of technology, the role of polling staff, and the transparency of the vote-counting process. As the process moves forward, the public and civil society organizations are watching closely.
The success of this committee will depend on the willingness of both the treasury and opposition benches to set aside partisan interests for the sake of institutional stability. The formal notification from the Speaker's office is expected early next week, which will mark the official commencement of the committee's proceedings.
All eyes are now on the upcoming consultations between the PTI leadership and the government representatives.