Dialogue and Research Are the Foundation of a Strong Society, Improvement in Justice System Is the Responsibility of Legislators: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan

By Farzana Chaudhry | Reporting from Lahore
Lahore — Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan engaged in a wide-ranging direct dialogue with students, teachers, and social security workers from both government and private educational institutions in a special session titled “Speaker and the People,” held at the historic Punjab Assembly building. The session saw the Speaker deliver detailed responses to questions from the audience on pressing issues of governance, justice, education, and youth development.
Addressing the gathering, the Speaker declared that societies are not built on the tip of the sword but on the foundations of words, arguments, and dialogue. He emphasized that research is indispensable before forming opinions on any matter, adding that in today’s era, Artificial Intelligence and modern technologies have expanded the opportunities for research far beyond what was previously possible. He urged young people to base their views on verified, authentic information rather than unverified narratives circulating on social media.
Turning to the justice system, the Speaker described it as the primary pillar of the state and highlighted the critical challenge of millions of pending cases in courts, causing significant delays in the dispensation of justice to litigants. He stressed that it is the solemn responsibility of elected representatives to provide an effective working environment to the judiciary and to bring meaningful reforms through necessary legislation.
Introducing a new initiative for public engagement with the legislature, the Speaker explained that citizens will be able to send their petitions to the Punjab Assembly with formal signatures, which will then be forwarded through standing committees to the relevant departments to ensure that public grievances are addressed in a structured and accountable manner.
On the contentious issue of student unions, the Speaker said he personally supports their revival, describing them as an effective platform for cultivating dialogue, tolerance, and leadership skills within educational institutions. He also informed the audience that the government has enacted legislation requiring every university to provide scholarships to at least ten percent of its students, a significant step toward expanding access to higher education.
Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise in student suicides across educational institutions, the Speaker announced the formation of a dedicated parliamentary committee that will summon vice chancellors and ensure the implementation of necessary measures, including psychological counseling, to protect students from mental stress and related pressures.
Concluding his address, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan reaffirmed that the primary duty of public representatives is to resolve the problems of their constituents, and that Parliament must be transformed from an arena of conflict into a center of serious dialogue and positive legislation for the betterment of the people.