Hope for an easing of tensions between the government and the opposition after the notification
A photo of TTAP leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. – screenshot
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said on Thursday that he expected the Speaker of the National Assembly to take a positive decision on the appointment of Mahmood Khan Achakzai as leader of the opposition during Friday’s session.
Speaking in an interview on Discussion on the capital on a private news channel, the PML-N leader said: “The process initiated by the speaker has, according to my information, been completed today in favor of Mahmood Khan Achakzai. [NA] tomorrow’s session as well, so I hope the speaker will announce his decision.
Read: Achakzai prepares to become leader of the opposition when NA nominations close
PTI Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar also agreed with this stance, saying he had completed his part of the process in his capacity as chief whip and only official notification from the NA Opposition Leader was now awaited.
Dogar said he would not be able to attend Friday’s session due to his trip to Karachi, where he is scheduled to attend a public meeting of the opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan and participate in other activities. He added that he would return on Monday.
Sanaullah expressed hope that tensions between the government and opposition would ease once the notification to the NA opposition leader is issued. He said opposition parties should reconsider their boycott of parliamentary standing committees and resume their participation in parliamentary proceedings in accordance with the law and rules.
“All issues can only be resolved through dialogue at the table of Parliament and politicians,” he said, adding that discussions should also be held on the Charter of Democracy, Charter of Economy and the Prime Minister’s offer of a Charter of Stability of Pakistan.
“If they sit down and talk, the solution will come from there. No solution will come from a traffic jam or some other place,” he added.
For now, the opposition is still waiting for notification of Achakzai’s appointment. On Tuesday, Pashtunkhwa Party leader Milli Awami submitted his candidature for the post after being officially nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Achakzai is expected to assume the position unopposed, with no other candidates having filed nomination papers. Independent lawmakers backed by the PTI have also submitted nomination papers in his favor.
On the same day, Dogar wrote to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, urging him to immediately issue the notification in accordance with Rule 39 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct, 2007.
Article 39 states that the leader of the opposition must be chosen from among opposition members who enjoy the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.
