Achakzai formalizes appointment after opposition files unanimous nomination; vacancy has existed since August 7
A photo of TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai has been formally appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in Pakistan’s National Assembly, ending a vacancy that had existed since 7 August.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf representatives, lawyer Gohar and opposition leader Aamir Dogar to his chamber to collect the official announcement.
“This was our right,” Gohar said, highlighting the prolonged absence of a designated opposition leader. The Speaker confirmed Achakzai’s appointment and formalized the position in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
No other candidates filed nomination papers, leaving Achakzai – who also heads the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) – as the sole nominee after the deadline for filing nominations closed on Tuesday. Independent legislators backed by the PTI submitted their nomination papers in his favour. Verification of the signatures on the nomination papers took place on Wednesday.
Read: Achakzai will become opposition leader when NA nominations close
The development follows a letter sent by PTI Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq earlier in the day. The letter said the opposition majority had unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as their leader.
It stressed that according to democratic traditions, the opposition has the right to elect its leader and urged the speaker to immediately issue the announcement in accordance with Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly, 2007.
Rule 39 states that the Leader of the Opposition must be elected from among members of Parliament belonging to the opposition who have the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.
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Earlier, a PTI delegation concluded a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly. The delegation included Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Malik Amir Dogar, who described the talks as constructive.
“We addressed all the concerns and there are no objections regarding the nomination papers submitted,” advocate Gohar said. He added that the verification of signatures would be completed on Wednesday and the opposition leader would be formally announced thereafter.
He also said the National Assembly would have its own opposition leader during Friday’s session, noting that no other nominations had been submitted. “There were no discussions in the Speaker’s office regarding negotiations,” he added.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Monday began the process of appointing the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with parliamentary rules, directing opposition lawmakers to submit their nominations by 10 p.m. 15.00 Tuesday.
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He had also asked the opposition parties to resubmit a signed list of members to the Speaker’s office after fixing a new date for the process.
Speaking on a point of order in Parliament, PTI Leader of Opposition Malik Amir Dogar said that 76 opposition members had already signed documents nominating Mahmood Khan Achakzai as Leader of the Opposition and had submitted them to the Speaker’s office. He said the opposition would resubmit the list in accordance with the speaker’s directive, while again demanding immediate issuance of the notification.
