Achakzai nominated as opposition leader

PTI submits application bearing signatures of 74 MNAs

ISLAMABAD:

Opposition parties in the National Assembly, led by the PTI, have moved a formal request in the lower house of parliament, nominating PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of opposition.

A group of opposition lawmakers including PTI's Aamir Dogar and Asad Qaiser on Tuesday submitted the application, bearing signatures of 74 MNAs. Three PTI members could not sign the application as they are currently abroad.

NA Additional Secretary (Legislation) Mushtaq Ahmed received the application and the Adviser's Office allotted it a diary number.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House after the meeting, Asad Qaiser said Mehmood Khan Achakzai has rendered remarkable services for democracy, which is why all opposition parties have unanimously expressed confidence in him.

PTI's Aamir Dogar said 74 opposition members signed the request, adding that Achakzai will be the unanimous voice of the opposition.

He said the PTI had also nominated Achakzai as its candidate in the presidential election, and keeping the post of opposition leader vacant is not in the interest of Parliament. Dogar expressed hope that the NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq would approve the request soon.

"The entire nation's eyes are on the petition against the 26th Constitutional Amendment—if it is accepted, it will establish the true rule of the Constitution and law in the country."

Commenting on the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Asad Qaiser said that if both countries continue dialogue, it would bring peace, stability, and new employment opportunities.

He said reopening trade corridors would enable Pakistan's exports to reach Central Asian countries. He also urged the federal government to allow a meeting between the newly elected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI founder Imran Khan.

"This is our legitimate demand, and all political colleagues should be allowed to meet Imran," he added. Imran Khan has been detained at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail for the past two year.

He said that the K-P has not yet received its due share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Awards, stating, after the merger of tribal areas FATA with the K-P, the provinces share is 19% "but we have not received even a single rupee yet".

Qaiser remarked that the province is not begging anyone but demanding its legal right. He said the K-P should not be punished "just because it stands with Imran".