Opp regains voice in National Assembly
After months of procedural limbo and wrangling, the National Assembly on Friday finally saw the opposition benches regain a formal voice, as Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai was appointed leader of the opposition, returning a formal opposition to the lower house amid wider political paralysis.
The appointment of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief, who also heads the grand opposition alliance, brings a long-stalled constitutional process back on track, following weeks of speculation over whether the notification would ever see the light of day.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued the long-awaited notification, offering a political silver lining amid deepening trust deficit between the treasury and opposition.
The post of opposition leader had remained vacant since August 7, after incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan nominated Achakzai as the consensus candidate. While the notification was widely expected by January 15, its delay triggered fresh uncertainty within opposition ranks and renewed accusations of deliberate foot-dragging.
The stalemate finally broke during a National Assembly session the following day, when Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned PTI chairman Barrister Gohar and Chief Whip Amir Dogar to his chamber, saying that the notification was ready.
The three ventured into the speaker's chamber and, upon emerging, confirmed the development.
"The notification has been issued today, and Mahmood Achakzai has been officially declared as the leader of the opposition," Barrister Gohar said.
According to the official notification seen by The Express Tribune, the appointment takes effect from January 16, 2026. The notification, signed by the speaker, states: "Honourable Speaker has been pleased to declare Mr Mehmood Khan Achakzai, member of the National Assembly, as leader of the opposition in the NA, with effect from January 16, 2026."
"The notification has been issued under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007," said a statement issued by the National Assembly Secretariat," it adds.
'Confidence-building measure'
Speaking to reporters, Barrister Gohar expressed relief over the resolution of the issue, saying the opposition had been waiting for its rightful leader.
"We've waited five months for this decision. It was our right, though delayed, but we have been finally given our right. We see it as a confidence-building measure and hope it will pave the way for new beginnings," he added.
Soon after the notification, congratulations began pouring in. Former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan took to X and said, "Heartiest congratulations to Mahmud Khan Achakzai sahib, who has been officially declared as the Leader of the Opposition National Assembly".
"It is a great singular honour, and Mahmud Khan Ackhakzai sahib will, InshahAllah, fulfil his responsibilities brilliantly," he said.
The National Dialogue Committee, led by Fawad Chaudhry, welcomed Achakzai's appointment as a win for its agenda. In a statement on X, he said Mahmood Achakzai's appointment as Leader of the Opposition fulfils a major condition of the NDC's charter.
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should consider whether returning to parliamentary committees, if it helps pave the way for the release of political prisoners, would really be too high a price to pay. It would also help open a path for meeting Imran Khan," he said.
Fawad Chaudhry further stressed that a Leader of the Opposition should also be appointed in the Senate without delay to ensure progress, adding that acceptance of this key demand of the National Dialogue Committee would help reduce political temperature in the country.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also congratulated Achakzai. According to JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, Fazlur Rehman called Achakzai to convey his best wishes and expressed hope that he would play a full role in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution.
Sanaullah reiterates talks call
The government also welcomed the appointment. Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan renewed the call for dialogue with the opposition while congratulating Achakzai, reiterating that the prime minister's invitation for negotiations remained open.
Achakzai was nominated by incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan weeks after Omar Ayub's conviction, and the party formally submitted his name in October 2025. Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, confirms that it is the sole prerogative of the speaker to ask the opposition to submit a name, after which the opposition may present it.
However, the earlier request had been submitted to the Speaker's Office rather than directly to the speaker. The opposition accused the government of delaying the appointment, while Sadiq maintained that the matter was sub judice due to pending cases against Omar Ayub.
When Achakzai was nominated, Omar Ayub had challenged his removal in the Supreme Court and high courts, but later withdrew the petitions.
The National Assembly Secretariat sent four letters, the latest dated December 29, to Chief Whip Amir Dogar seeking details of cases related to Omar Ayub, stating that written confirmation was required to complete the process.
Dogar responded on January 5, confirming that Omar Ayub had withdrawn all pending cases. The speaker subsequently assured that the appointment process would begin in the next parliamentary session.
On January 12, the speaker formally initiated the process for the appointment of the NA opposition leader by seeking proposals for the nomination.