Mahmood Khan Achakzai delivers his first speech in the National Assembly as leader of the opposition on January 19, 2026.
ISLAMABAD:
A petitioner has challenged the appointment of Mahmood Khan Achakzai as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly – appointed by PTI founder Imran Khan – at the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
Justice (retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, lawyer for PTI founder member Akbar S Babar, filed a constitutional appeal claiming that declaring Achakzai as the leader of the opposition violates constitutional provisions and relevant laws.
The appeal argues that the procedure adopted to appoint the opposition leader was neither independent nor in accordance with the rules.
It further states that the legally required process to verify the free will and consent of the concerned members of the National Assembly was not completed, resulting in violations of constitutional guarantees under Articles 4 and 17 of the Constitution.
The petition contends that the notification of Achakzai’s appointment reflects a serious violation of the Constitution. He claims the opposition leader was nominated by an individual – Imran Khan – who is currently in prison and has been declared disqualified from holding public office.
The application therefore has no legal validity.
The appeal also claims that the notification is illegal because it violates Rule 39(3) of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2007, as the mandatory requirements of that section have not been met.
According to Article 39(3), the speaker can declare a member leader of the opposition only after verifying the signatures of the NA members supporting the nomination and determining that the candidate represents the largest numerical strength among the opposition members.
The petition highlights that verifying members’ signatures is not a mere formality or discretionary act but a mandatory legal requirement. This involves independently verifying the authenticity of signatures and the voluntary consent of the members concerned.
The appeal argues that the president’s power to announce the nomination of the opposition leader is conditional on such verification and cannot be exercised in isolation.
The FCC has been asked to declare null and void the notification appointing Mahmood Khan Achakzai as Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly.
The appeal further states that under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, a disqualified person cannot be allowed to interfere directly or indirectly in the political process.
He notes that, according to public statements, the leader of the opposition was appointed by a constitutionally disqualified person.
On January 12, 2026, PTI’s Amir Dogar told the media outside Parliament that the PTI founder had appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition.
Months after their predecessors, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, were no longer appointed as legislators following their convictions in the May 9 riots cases, the National Assembly and Senate notified the new opposition leaders in January: Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
