Parliament Should Be the Source of Power, Will Conditionally Support Government’s Positive Steps: Mahmood Khan Achakzai
**Islamabad:** Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, in his first address after assuming office, stressed the need to strengthen parliament and indicated conditional support for the government on matters of public welfare.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Achakzai said the House should be the true center of power. “Even if the government is yours, whenever you speak for the welfare of the people, we will stand with you,” he stated. He emphasized that cooperation would not be extended to wrongdoings, adding that the opposition wants to see parliament emerge as the real source of authority.
He urged lawmakers to uphold dignity in discourse, saying members should avoid saying anything in the House that they could not say in front of their mothers or sisters, and called for the protection of social and moral values.
The opposition leader said his votes would be available for good initiatives and proposed that internal, foreign, and economic policies should be formulated within parliament. He recalled standing by the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N during difficult times, asserting that he never accepted money in exchange for votes and had always adhered to principles and his oath.
Achakzai said he would not create unnecessary hurdles for the government and would meet Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to ensure smooth parliamentary functioning. Drawing comparisons, he said India strengthened its parliament and progressed, while Pakistan weakened democratic institutions and suffered the consequences.
He warned that Pakistan is facing serious challenges while other countries have moved ahead. He stressed trust in the country’s people, stating that Pakistan’s army and police are strong enough to prevent lawlessness if supported by sound policies.
Highlighting regional instability, he cautioned that certain powers want to turn the region into a battleground and warned that once a war starts, it may not be easy to end. He criticized past policies that displaced thousands in the name of counterterrorism and reiterated his commitment to non-violence.
Achakzai also spoke on economic and regional issues, saying flawed policies had damaged Kashmir’s cause and harmed local farmers. He urged learning lessons from international experiences and called for balanced policies to safeguard national sovereignty and regional peace.
