Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai addresses a rally at the Lahore High Court on Friday, January 9, 2026. Photo:
ISLAMABAD:
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai is expected to assume the position of Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly unopposed after the deadline for submission of nominations closes on Tuesday.
No other candidates filed nomination papers, leaving Achakzai – who also leads the opposition Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) alliance – as the only candidate. Independent lawmakers backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted their nomination papers in his favor.
Verification of signatures on application forms is scheduled for Wednesday. Once the process is completed, an official notification of Achakzai’s appointment will be issued.
The development follows a letter sent earlier today by PTI Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The letter said the majority of the opposition unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as leader.
He stressed that in democratic traditions, the opposition has the right to elect its leader and urged the President to immediately issue the notification in accordance with Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly, 2007.
Rule 39 of the Rules states that the leader of the opposition must be chosen from among the opposition members who enjoy the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.
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Earlier, a PTI delegation concluded a meeting with the National Assembly Speaker. The delegation included lawyer Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Malik Amir Dogar, who described the talks as constructive.
“We have addressed all concerns and there are no objections regarding the applications submitted,” attorney Gohar said. He added that the verification of signatures would be completed by Wednesday and the opposition leader would be formally announced thereafter.
He also said the National Assembly would have its own opposition leader in Friday’s session, noting that no other nominations had been submitted. “There has been no discussion within the President’s office regarding negotiations,” he added.
President Ayaz Sadiq on Monday launched the process of nominating the opposition leader in accordance with parliamentary rules, ordering opposition lawmakers to submit their nominations by 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
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He had also asked the opposition parties to resubmit a signed list of their members to the president’s office after setting a new date for the process.
Speaking on a point of order in the House, PTI Opposition Leader Malik Amir Dogar said 76 opposition members have already signed documents appointing Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the Opposition Leader and submitted them to the President’s office. He said the opposition would resubmit the list as per the President’s directive, while again demanding immediate issuance of the notification.
