Lahore: In a move that signals a potential political thaw, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has formed an 8-member government negotiation committee to address the contentious issue of suspended opposition members.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure to restore parliamentary decorum and re-engage sidelined voices. The committee features senior lawmakers from across the ruling coalition, including Chief Whip Rana Arshad, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Samiullah Khan, and Ahmed Iqbal. Also joining the effort are cross-party allies: Ali Haider Gillani (PPP), Chaudhry Shafay Hussain (PML-Q), and Shoaib Siddiqui (IPP).
Sources suggest the opposition is expected to respond in kind, with Leader of the Opposition Ahmad Khan Bhachar poised to announce a counter-committee comprising key figures such as Ali Imtiaz Warraich, Sheikh Imtiaz, and Ejaz Shafi.
Both sides are reportedly preparing proposals to set the tone for constructive engagement. The second round of talks is scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 PM within the Punjab Assembly premises—marking what could be a turning point in restoring cross-party consensus.
As political tensions rise, this negotiation may offer a critical opportunity for reconciliation—or deepen the divide if common ground isn’t found.
