Government and Opposition Reach Consensus on Appointment of Opposition Leader

Islamabad: The government and opposition have reached an agreement on the appointment of the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, with Mahmood Khan Achakzai confirmed as the unanimous candidate of the united opposition.

Sources said the Speaker of the National Assembly has assured that Mahmood Khan Achakzai will be appointed as the Opposition Leader, and all legal formalities will be completed before issuing the official notification.

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, and Malik Amir Dogar, submitted the necessary documents to the Speaker’s office regarding the appointment. PTI Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar said that all requirements have been fulfilled in accordance with the National Assembly’s instructions, and the updated list has been submitted to the Speaker.

Asad Qaiser stated that it is at the Speaker’s discretion to issue the notification at any time and expressed hope that there would be no further delays. He confirmed that only one nomination has been made so far and that once the Opposition Leader is appointed in the National Assembly, the same will follow in the Senate.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the media outside the Speaker’s office that the appointment of the Opposition Leader is expected by Thursday after verification of the submitted documents. He emphasized that there is no “forward block” in PTI and that Chairman Imran Khan’s decisions remain final.

Malik Amir Dogar also sent a letter to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, noting that the opposition’s majority has unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai and that the position remains vacant. The letter cited Rule 39 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct 2007, requesting the immediate issuance of the official notification.