Opposition leader: PTI won’t backtrack on Achakzai’s nomination: Dogar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday reaffirmed that it would not backtrack on its decision to nominate Mehmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader in the National Assembly, dismissing the government’s objections with a defiant response.

The political storm flared after the government sent a letter to PTI raising concerns about Achakzai’s candidacy, prompting a sharp rebuttal from PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar, who fired off a retaliatory letter to the National Assembly Secretariat, reaffirming PTI’s unwavering stance.

“Our decision to nominate Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader in the National Assembly is final,” Dogar declared, asserting that the matter had already been settled after consultations with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

“Achakzai’s name was finalised after extensive discussions with the founding party chairman Imran Khan and PTI lawmakers, and we will not be changing it,” he added, making it clear that the party had no intention of backing down.

The position of opposition leader has been vacant for nearly two months, during which the highly contentious 27th Amendment was passed, further intensifying the political standoff.

Dogar was quick to accuse the government of deliberately stalling the appointment to avoid confronting the opposition, claiming the delay was an attempt to sidestep the pressure brought by Achakzai’s nomination.

“Achakzai is an elected member of the National Assembly, and there is no valid reason to object to his nomination as opposition leader,” Dogar said, emphasising that PTI was exercising its constitutional right.

“The delay is hindering parliamentary proceedings, and it’s clear the government is afraid of the opposition after this nomination,” he added, pointing the finger at the ruling establishment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025