Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq on Friday notified Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the new opposition leader in the lower house, months after the post was left vacant after Omar Ayub was sentenced to imprisonment.
Achakzai, who also heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), was nominated for the position by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan following the disqualification of his predecessor Omar Ayub, who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in a May 9 case.
“In pursuance of rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in NA, 2007, honourable speaker has been pleased to declare Mahmood Khan Achakzai, MNA, as Leader of the Opposition in NA with effect from January 16, 2026,” read the notification issued by NA acting Secretary Saeed Ahmad Maitla.
The notification followed a meeting between NA Speaker Sadiq and a delegation of opposition lawmakers, including PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Junaid Akbar, Aamir Dogar, Shahram Khan Tarakai, Latif Khosa and Jamal Ahsan Khan.
Achakzai’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as he has called for a national dialogue among all political parties to help steer the country out of crisis. PTI leaders have emphasised that the mandate to engage with the ruling coalition rests with Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Speaking to a private news channel, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Imran Khan had authorised Achakzai to negotiate with the government. “Achakzai can decide better what to do,” he added.
Since Imran Khan’s ouster through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022, PTI has been at odds with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party has staged multiple marches towards Islamabad, leading to police crackdowns and arrests.
PTI also faces challenges on the political and legal fronts, with its founder Imran Khan and senior leaders including Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yasmin Rashid in custody over alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents.