ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament, appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition on Friday, marking the end of months of delays in filling this pivotal position, an official notification confirmed.
The role had remained vacant for nearly five months following the disqualification of Omar Ayub, a member of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Ayub was disqualified in August 2025 after his conviction in cases linked to violent riots that erupted in May 2023.
Subsequently, PTI nominated two candidates for key opposition leadership roles: Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, for the National Assembly post, and PTI’s Azam Swati for the Senate position, as per party statements.
The opposition leader plays a vital role in ensuring parliamentary accountability and oversight. Responsibilities include critically examining government policies, legislation, and actions while presenting alternative viewpoints and advocating citizens’ concerns.
As per a notification from the National Assembly Secretariat, Achakzai’s appointment adhered to “rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly.” The notification further stated that the Speaker had officially declared Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the opposition leader.
Beyond legislative duties, the opposition leader holds significant influence in critical state decisions, such as nominating candidates for the prime ministership, chief election commissioner, caretaker government appointments, and facilitating dialogue between government and opposition benches.
Achakzai’s appointment comes after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq held discussions with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Chief Whip Amir Dogar. Achakzai, who also leads the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, takes on this responsibility amidst prior allegations from opposition members that the government deliberately delayed his selection. The Speaker had previously attributed the delay to ongoing legal proceedings concerning Omar Ayub’s disqualification appeals.
However, after Ayub withdrew his petitions, the NA Secretariat sought updates from PTI’s Chief Whip Dogar in December regarding the case’s status. Once Dogar provided the required documentation earlier this month, the formal process to appoint Achakzai commenced.
PTI leader Zulfikar Bukhari expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the proper constitutional process had been upheld. He reaffirmed PTI’s trust in Achakzai’s leadership, emphasizing that both Imran Khan and the entire party stood united behind him.
