Societies are fostered through dialogue, not edge of sword, says Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad khan

Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad khan has said that great societies are fostered through dialogue and not the edge of sword as coercion does not guarantee lasting cooperation

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2026) Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad khan has said that great societies are fostered through dialogue and not the edge of sword as coercion does not guarantee lasting cooperation.

Speaking to students, teachers and social security workers during a special session ‘Speaker and the Public’ at the Punjab Assembly here on Wednesday, he said dialogue and research are the foundation of a strong society while improvement in the justice system is the responsibility of lawmakers.

The Speaker PA said Primary responsibility of public representatives is to resolve the issues of their Constituencies, and the august House should serve as a platform for serious dialogue and constructive legislation rather than a pandemonium to settle political rivalries.

In his address, the Speaker stated that societies are not built on the edge of a sword but on words, reason, and dialogue. He said that research is essential before forming an opinion on any matter, and in the present era, opportunities for research have expanded significantly due to artificial intelligence (AI) and other modern technologies. He advised the younger generation to form opinions based on verified information rather than unverified narratives circulating on social media.

About the justice system, the Speaker described it as a fundamental pillar of the State. He said that millions of cases are pending in courts, resulting in delays in the delivery of justice to litigants.

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of elected representatives to provide an effective working environment for the judiciary and to introduce necessary reforms through legislation.

On newly introduced public petitions initiative of the Punjab Assembly, the Speaker said citizens will be able to submit their petitions to the Assembly with proper signatures. These petitions will be forwarded to the relevant departments through standing committees to ensure resolution of public issues.

Regarding student unions, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated that he supports the restoration of student unions, as they can serve as an effective platform for dialogue, tolerance, and leadership development within educational institutions.

He further informed that legislation has been enacted under which every university will be required to provide scholarships to ten percent of its students.

Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of suicide in educational institutions, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said that a parliamentary committee of the PA will be empowered to call vice chancellors and ensure necessary measures, including psychological counseling, to protect students from mental stress and related challenges.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also responded to the queries of the participants in the Q&A session.