ISLAMABAD:
Barring any unforeseen developments, Mahmood Khan Achakzai is set to become the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, with the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) president becoming the only candidate for the post on Tuesday.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has formally submitted his nomination papers following the National Assembly Speaker’s decision to restart the process of nominating an opposition leader.
This is the second time that the PTI has appointed Achakzai to the post. In October, when the party requested notification, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq refused, citing ongoing cases against Omar Ayub, who was opposition leader before his disqualification as an MP.
The lower house has remained without an opposition leader since August 2025, when former leader Ayub was disqualified following his conviction in the May 9 cases.
After nearly five months of political deadlock, Gohar, along with Asad Qaiser, PTI chief Amir Dogar and others, met Sadiq in his room and formally submitted all the documents required for Achakzai’s nomination. This was the second official submission of Achakzai’s name for the position.
Speaking to reporters, Gohar confirmed Achakzai’s appointment.
“We have submitted all the required documents for the nomination of the Opposition Leader. The verification of signatures is expected to be completed by tomorrow, and it is likely that Achakzai’s notification will be issued either tomorrow or latest by Thursday.”
He added that Achakzai was the only opposition candidate and no other nominations had been submitted or were expected.
“This will end the parliamentary deadlock. Achakzai will assume the role of leader of the opposition in Friday’s Assembly session,” he said.
The written proposal stated that the majority of the opposition had unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition.
The letter emphasized that democratic traditions guarantee the right of the opposition to choose its leader and urged the speaker to immediately issue the notification in accordance with Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly, 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.
Asad Qaiser said that issuing the notification was the prerogative of the speaker. “We have fulfilled all the conditions and hope that there will be no further delay,” he told reporters, adding that once the nomination was made in the National Assembly, the process in the Senate would also follow.
President Ayaz Sadiq assured opposition lawmakers that the appointment would be finalized once all legal formalities were completed.
Achakzai was nominated by incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan weeks after Omar Ayub’s conviction, and the party formally submitted his name in October 2025. However, the earlier application was submitted to the president’s office rather than directly to the president.
The opposition had accused the government of delaying Achakzai’s appointment, while Sadiq claimed the matter was pending due to the ongoing cases against Omar. Omar Ayub had challenged his removal in the Supreme Court and high courts, but later withdrew his petitions.
The National Assembly Secretariat has sent four letters, the latest one dated December 29, to Chief Whip Amir Dogar seeking details of the cases related to Omar Ayub, stating that written confirmation was required to complete the nomination process.
Dogar responded on January 5, confirming that Omar Ayub had withdrawn all pending cases.
The president then assured that the nomination process would begin during the next parliamentary session. With a major hurdle now removed, the question remains whether the move will help reduce political tensions.
PILDAT President Ahmad Bilal Mehboob expressed cautious optimism. “I think the delay in appointing opposition leaders to the National Assembly and the Senate was unjustified. Now that the process is underway, at least in the National Assembly, it should ease tensions somewhat.
“Even though it will not create amity between the parties, it will remove an irritant and complete the Parliament, also addressing some international concerns regarding the quality of democracy. Even though it is almost six months late, it is a positive step and I hope no further obstacles arise,” he said.
