Lahore: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has stressed the need to strengthen political dialogue, constitutional supremacy and the rule of law to address national issues, strengthen democratic stability and improve governance.
He said channels of dialogue and consultation should remain open despite political differences.
Speaking at a conference organised by a private university in Lahore, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said state institutions should perform their functions within their respective constitutional mandates, while national affairs should be addressed through constitutional and parliamentary processes. He said effective public representation also required local governments to be entrusted with appropriate powers and responsibilities. Stronger local institutions, he added, were important for addressing public issues at the grassroots level.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad said transparency, accountability and an effective administrative system were essential for good governance. He stressed the need for reforms to improve institutional capacity and make the delivery of public services more effective. The speaker said parliament was an important forum for debate, consultation and legislation, and that its constitutional authority and institutional balance should be respected. Differences of opinion, he said, were an integral part of democracy and should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms rather than confrontation.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad said Pakistan faced complex political, economic and social challenges that required collective thinking and sustained dialogue. He said adherence to constitutional principles, the rule of law and effective public representation was important for national security, peace and development.