Electoral reforms: Efforts to set up parliamentary body hit early snag as PTI objects

ISLAMABAD: The government’s efforts to set up a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms hit an early snag on Tuesday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) objected to the proposed composition, questioning how the opposition could play a meaningful role in a body dominated by government members.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry contacted PTI chief whip Amir Dogar, seeking nominations of five party members for the proposed committee.

Dogar, however, took issue with the proposed strength of the committee, pointing out that 15 government members against just five from the opposition would leave little room for a balanced discussion.

He said that the government revisit the composition of the electoral reforms committee formed between 2013 and 2018, and examine its structure before finalising the new arrangement.

He also questioned the point of discussing electoral reforms when KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other PTI leaders were in detention, with around a dozen party lawmakers either behind bars or facing arrest

Meanwhile, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is weighing a reduction in its share of the proposed committee to accommodate its coalition partners, amid Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s desire to bring all allied parties on board.

Sources said consultations were under way to ensure representation for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and other coalition partners.

The PML-N may reduce its representation in proportion to its strength in parliament to make room for its allies.

The proposed arrangement could also include one National Assembly member each from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia and others.

With these adjustments, the PML-N’s representation from the National Assembly in the committee is expected to fall below nine members.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026