ISLAMABAD:
Barring any unforeseen developments, Mahmood Khan Achakzai is set to become the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, as the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman emerged as the sole candidate for the post on Tuesday.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan formally submitted his nomination documents following the National Assembly speaker’s decision to restart the process for appointing an opposition leader.
This is the second time the PTI has nominated Achakzai for the post. In October, when the party sought his notification, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had refused, citing pending cases against Omar Ayub, who had been serving as opposition leader before his disqualification as an MNA.
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 stalemate, Gohar, along with Asad Qaiser, PTI chief whip Amir Dogar, and others, met Sadiq in his chamber and formally submitted all required documents for Achakzai’s appointment. This marked the second official submission of Achakzai’s name for the post.
Speaking to reporters, Gohar confirmed Achakzai’s nomination.
“We have submitted all the required documents for the appointment of the leader of the opposition. 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, at the latest, Thursday.”
He added that Achakzai was the sole candidate from the opposition and that no other nominations had been submitted or were expected.
“This will bring an end to the parliamentary stalemate. Achakzai will assume the role of opposition leader during Friday’s Assembly session,” he said.
The written proposal stated that the opposition majority had unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader.
The letter stressed that democratic traditions guarantee the opposition’s right to choose its leader and urged the speaker to issue the notification immediately under Rule 39 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct, 2007.
Rule 39 stipulates that the leader of the opposition must be chosen from among opposition members who command the confidence of the majority of opposition lawmakers.
Asad Qaiser said the issuance of the notification was the speaker’s prerogative. “We have fulfilled all requirements and hope there will be no further delay,” he told reporters, adding that once the appointment is made in the National Assembly, the process in the Senate would also follow.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has assured opposition lawmakers that the appointment will be finalized after completion of all legal formalities.
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 request had been submitted to the Speaker’s Office rather than directly to the speaker.
The opposition had accused the government of delaying Achakzai’s appointment, while Sadiq maintained that the matter was sub judice due to pending cases against Omar. Omar Ayub had challenged his removal in the Supreme Court and high courts but later withdrew the petitions.
The National Assembly Secretariat sent four letters, the latest dated December 29, to Chief Whip Amir Dogar seeking details of cases related to Omar Ayub, stating that written confirmation was required to complete the appointment process.
Dogar responded on January 5, confirming that Omar Ayub had withdrawn all pending cases.
The speaker subsequently assured that the appointment process would begin in the next parliamentary session. With one major hurdle now cleared, the question remains whether the move will help reduce political tensions.
PILDAT Chairman Ahmad Bilal Mehboob expressed cautious optimism. “I think the delay in appointing leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate was unjustified. Now that the process is moving—at least in the National Assembly—it should ease tensions somewhat.
“While it won’t create friendship between the sides, it removes one irritant and completes the parliament, also addressing some international concerns about the quality of democracy. Though almost six months late, it’s a positive step, and I hope no further obstacles arise,” he said.
