ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Tuesday once again formally proposed Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the post of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that Achakzai’s nomination papers were submitted to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. This marks the second formal move by the party to put forward Achakzai’s name for the position.
The step came a day after the speaker restarted the process for appointing the opposition leader, a post that has remained vacant for nearly five months following the disqualification of PTI leader Omar Ayub in August 2025.
According to a written proposal dated January 12, opposition members of the National Assembly nominated Mehmood Khan Achakzai, MNA from NA-266, for the constitutional office. The document cited Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, which states that the opposition leader must be chosen from among opposition members who enjoy majority support on the opposition benches.
The proposal stated that Achakzai commands the confidence of the majority of opposition members and is therefore the most suitable candidate for the role. It added that the timely appointment of an opposition leader is essential for the effective performance of constitutional and parliamentary duties.
The opposition urged the speaker to complete the required procedures and appoint Achakzai as leader of the opposition at the earliest.
Speaking to Geo News inside Parliament, Barrister Gohar said PTI had submitted only one nomination and expressed hope that Achakzai would be notified as opposition leader by Thursday.
Imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan had first nominated Achakzai for the post in August last year, shortly after Omar Ayub’s disqualification over convictions linked to the May 9, 2023 riots. The opposition alliance, led by Achakzai under the banner of Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan, had also submitted his nomination in October 2025.
However, that submission was made to the speaker’s office rather than directly to the speaker, leading to delays. The opposition repeatedly accused the government of intentionally slowing down the process, while the speaker had earlier said the matter was sub judice due to Ayub’s legal challenges.
After Ayub withdrew his petitions from courts, the NA Secretariat sought written details from PTI in December to finalize the process. PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar submitted the required documents on January 5, prompting the speaker to announce that the process would begin afresh in the next session.
On Monday, the speaker formally invited nominations during the National Assembly sitting, paving the way for a fresh decision on the long-vacant post.
