Dawood Ahmed, News Desk:Â
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formally nominated Pashtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the post of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, party sources confirmed on Tuesday.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the nomination papers have been submitted to the National Assembly Speaker, making this the second time the party has put forward Achakzai’s name for the influential parliamentary role.
The development comes after National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq reopened the process for appointing the opposition leader, a position that has remained vacant for nearly five months. The slot fell empty following the disqualification of PTI leader Omar Ayub in August 2025.
According to the written request submitted to the Speaker on January 12, opposition members expressed confidence in Achakzai’s leadership and parliamentary experience. The letter referred to Rule 39 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, which states that the opposition leader must be chosen from among members who enjoy the support of a majority on the opposition benches.
The document emphasized that Mehmood Khan Achakzai has the backing of most opposition lawmakers, making him a consensus candidate for the constitutional office. It also highlighted that the timely appointment of an opposition leader is crucial for ensuring effective parliamentary oversight and strengthening democratic processes.
Opposition members urged the Speaker to complete the necessary formalities in line with parliamentary rules and past traditions, and to announce Achakzai’s appointment at the earliest.
