Raja Riaz appointed opposition leader in NA

National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf approved the application of dissenting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raja Riaz Ahmed for the post of leader of the opposition in the National Assembly (NA).

The speaker approved the appointment of the opposition leader using the powers conferred on him under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure of the NA, 2007.

Ahmed and Ghous Bakhsh Khan Mahar of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) submitted their applications for the post.

Ahmed's petition had 16 signatures while Mahar's petition had six signatures.

The speaker then appointed Ahmed as the leader of the opposition under the rules and regulations of the lower house with the support of the majority of the members of the opposition.

It is worth noting here that the leader of the opposition had to show their majority in NA till 3pm on Friday and their signatures had to be confirmed by 4pm.

The NA speak, while interacting with the media later, said that six members of the assembly voted in favor of Mahar. 

Read PML-Q seeks NA opposition leader slot

He announced Ahmed’s election as the opposition leader, adding that the members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) can decide on their chairman.

It was announced in the lower house on Friday that whoever wanted to be the leader of the opposition should submit their papers. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-N) Hussain Elahi withdrew his nomination papers

Ashraf told the media that a decision on dissolving the assembly is to be taken by the government. He acknowledged that criticism plays a constructive role where it is needed.

He revealed that the en masse resignations of PTI were not in accordance with the rules and regulations. The resignations were handwritten and these resignations are typed, he added.

Until the resignations of PTI are accepted, I have written a letter to the members, he further said.