- Open venue increases transparency and accountability: Speaker Swati.
- The Ministry of Finance, the opposition agree on the arrangement of stadium sessions.
- The opposition welcomes the move, prepares to ask questions publicly.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has decided to hold its session outside the Assembly premises for the first time, choosing to convene the session at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.
KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati announced that the session will be held on April 22 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, marking an unprecedented move in the parliamentary history of the province.
The KP Assembly Secretariat has issued a formal notification confirming the arrangement stating that the session will be chaired by Speaker Swati and will begin at 3 p.m.
According to the speaker, the primary purpose of holding the session in an open venue is to give the public a direct opportunity to observe the performance of their elected representatives and to enhance transparency in the democratic process.
He said the initiative is also aimed at increasing public participation and fostering closer engagement between citizens and lawmakers.
Swati opined that similar public sessions may be organized in various districts across the province in future, adding that such initiatives would help in strengthening the direct interaction between the public and their representatives.
The assembly spokesman said both the finance ministry and the opposition members have agreed to the event, while instructions have been issued to the sports department, police and district administration to finalize security and administrative arrangements.
Speaker Swati, Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi, Assembly Secretary Syed Waqar Shah and provincial ministers also visited the stadium to review the preparations.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Dr. Ibadullah welcomed the decision to hold the session in an open venue, saying it would allow the opposition to raise questions about the government’s performance directly to the public.
He added that while the government’s intention behind the move remains unclear, the opposition will make full use of the opportunity.
