ISLAMABAD:
Five months after Mahmood Khan Achakzai was brought in as opposition leader in hopes that he could steer the PTI from confrontation to dialogue, Tuesday’s events in the National Assembly suggested he is once again treading the familiar path of political deadlock.
During his speech in the National Assembly, Achakzai described the government as “illegal”, accused it of undermining democratic institutions and questioned restrictions on the opposition’s political activities, asking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif what “crime” the opposition had committed to be denied the right to hold protests and public meetings. Shehbaz denied the allegations and defended the legitimacy of his government.
The exchange escalated when the Speaker intervened and warned Achakzai against criticizing national institutions on the floor of Parliament. The opposition later condemned the speaker’s remarks, describing them as an attempt to stifle parliamentary dissent.
The frustration within the PTI is no longer confined behind closed doors. Ali Muhammad Khan, speaking on the record, said that the Prime Minister had invited Achakzai twice for dialogue and now Achakzai had to take a bold decision and fulfill the very purpose for which he had been appointed.
The pressure is no longer just rhetorical. In recent weeks, senior PTI leader Shahid Khattak reportedly warned that the party could strip both Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas of their positions and powers if they failed to produce results.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid said it clearly: Mehmood Khan Achakzai is a sensible and democratically minded leader who knows how to solve complex political issues.
However, he argued that the real problem is not with Achakzai himself, but with those who appointed him as the leader of the opposition, as they are not giving him the authority he was expected to have.
As a result, both Achakzai and the wider opposition, as well as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, face internal difficulties.
