Government to Invite Opposition for Talks on Electoral Reforms Ahead of Next Elections

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to invite the opposition for negotiations on electoral reforms in a bid to ensure transparency and credibility in the upcoming general elections and build political consensus through parliamentary consultations.

According to parliamentary sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the government to formally engage the opposition and include its representatives in the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms.

Under the proposed arrangement, five opposition members will be included in the 20-member Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms. The prime minister has also instructed the relevant authorities to seek nominations from the opposition for membership of the committee.

Sources said the Speaker of the National Assembly will write a formal letter to opposition parties, inviting them to join the parliamentary committee and nominate five members.

The government’s move aims to take the opposition into confidence and develop a consensus-based framework for electoral reforms to make future elections more transparent and credible.

Meanwhile, Barrister Aqeel Malik has moved a resolution in the Senate regarding the formation of a parliamentary committee to work on electoral reforms.