Bilawal urges PTI-led opposition to join committees, cooperate on reforms

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with senior opposition leaders in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he again urged them to join parliamentary committees and also called for cooperation on electoral reforms.

The meeting included Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, along with other senior figures from the PTI-led opposition and the PPP. According to a statement, the opposition leaders said they would decide on joining the committees after consulting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Mr. Bhutto also welcomed the transfer of Imran Khan to a hospital for medical treatment following a Supreme Court decision, describing it as a “positive democratic tradition.” The two sides agreed to enhance contacts and coordination on legislation in Parliament.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with senior opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday as part of his party's ongoing outreach. Reports indicate the discussion included the topic of creating a new province for Karachi, a move the PTI has reportedly opposed.

Following a meeting between the PPP and opposition leaders, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja commented on the interaction. He characterized the PPP delegation's outreach as a "goodwill visit."

Raja also noted that during the meeting, the PPP representatives welcomed the recent Supreme Court decision concerning the medical treatment of the PTI founder.

In a meeting on Wednesday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), agreed to maintain contact and cooperate on legislative matters in parliament. The development came after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with opposition leaders at Parliament House.

During the meeting and in a subsequent media talk, Mr. Bhutto urged the opposition to rejoin parliamentary standing committees and play an active role, particularly in pursuing electoral reforms. According to a statement, the opposition leaders present said they would decide on the matter after consulting with the PTI founder.

The PPP chairman also welcomed the Supreme Court's decision regarding the medical treatment of the incarcerated PTI founder, stating it was a "democratic tradition," though he added it would have been better if the government had arranged it proactively.

The PPP delegation included Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Nadeem Afzal Chan. The opposition was represented by figures including Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser.

On Wednesday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman inside the National Assembly. Video from the assembly floor showed Mr. Bhutto approaching Maulana Fazlur Rehman's seat to speak with him. Following his meetings with opposition figures, Mr. Bhutto held a media talk.