In a landmark decision that marks a significant shift in regional parliamentary traditions, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is set to hold its upcoming session at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. This unprecedented move, announced by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, scheduled for April 22, represents the first time in the province’s history that official proceedings will take place outside the traditional assembly premises.
The KP Assembly Secretariat has already issued a formal notification for the event, which is slated to begin at 3 pm. According to Speaker Swati, the primary motivation behind moving the session to an open venue is to enhance transparency and accountability. By holding the session in a public space, the government aims to give citizens a front-row seat to observe the performance of their elected representatives firsthand. This initiative is expected to bridge the gap between lawmakers and the public, fostering a more inclusive democratic environment.
The decision has received a surprisingly unified response from within the house. Both treasury and opposition benches have agreed to the arrangement, signaling a rare moment of political consensus. To ensure the event runs smoothly, the district administration, local police, and the sports department have been tasked with finalizing stringent security measures and administrative logistics. Speaker Swati, along with Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi and several provincial ministers, recently visited the stadium to personally oversee the preparations.
While Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah welcomed the decision, he noted that the move provides a unique platform for the opposition to challenge the government’s performance directly in the public eye. He emphasized that the opposition intends to utilize this public forum to raise critical questions that matter to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Depending on the success of this session, officials have hinted that similar public sessions could be organized in various districts across the province in the future.
