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 papers following the National Assembly Speaker’s decision to restart the process of appointing an opposition leader.
This is the second time PTI has nominated Achakzai for the post. In October, when the party sought his notification, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had declined citing pending cases against Omar Ayub, who had served as the Leader of the Opposition before his disqualification as an MNA.
The House of Commons has been 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 Whip Amir Dogar and others met Sadiq in his chamber and formally submitted all necessary 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 necessary documents for the appointment of the leader of the opposition. The verification of signatures is expected to be completed tomorrow and it is likely that Achakzai’s announcement will be issued either tomorrow or Thursday at the latest.”
He added that Achakzai was the only opposition candidate and that no other nominations had been submitted or expected.
“This will end the parliamentary deadlock. Achakzai will assume the role of opposition leader during Friday’s session,” he said.
The written proposal stated that the opposition majority had unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition.
Stressing that democratic traditions guarantee the opposition’s right to elect its leader, the letter urged the speaker to immediately issue the notice under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly, 2007.
Rule 39 stipulates that the leader of the opposition must be elected from among opposition members who have the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.
Asad Qaiser said that issuing the notice was the prerogative of the speaker. “We have fulfilled all requirements and hope there will be no further delays,” he told reporters, adding that once the appointment is made in the National Assembly, the process in the Senate will 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 jailed 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 dismissal in the Supreme Court and Supreme Court, but later withdrew the petitions.
The National Assembly Secretariat sent four letters, most recently dated December 29, to Chief Whip Amir Dogar seeking details of matters related to Omar Ayub, stating that written confirmation was required to complete the appointment process.
Dogar responded on 5 January, 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 a 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 the Senate was unjustified. Now that the process is moving – at least in the National Assembly – it should ease the tensions somewhat.
“Although it will not create friendship between the sides, it removes one irritant and completes the parliament, and also addresses some international concerns about the quality of democracy. Although it is almost six months late, it is a positive step and I hope that no further obstacles arise,” he said.
