PTI-backed Mehmood Achakzai notified as leader of opposition in National Assembly

The National Assembly Secretariat on Friday issued a notification declaring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed MNA Mehmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

According to the notification, issued under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, the decision was approved by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and has taken effect from January 16 (today).

The development takes place after process for the appointment of the opposition leader has been completed.

After signing the notification, the NA speaker handed it over to PTI leaders Gohar Ali Khan and Amir Dogar, Aaj News reported citing sources. With this move, the matter concerning the leadership of the opposition in the National Assembly has been formally settled.

READ MORE: NA Speaker ends consultation process for new opposition leader

The National Assembly session began under the chairmanship of Speaker Sadiq, who announced at the start that there would be no Question Hour. During the session, the speaker summoned PTI Chief Whip Amir to his chamber for handing over the notification. Subsequently, he officially announced Achakzai as the leader of the opposition.

It is worth noting that after the disqualification and removal of former PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub from his seat as a Member of the National Assembly, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan had proposed the name of senior politician and Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Achakzai for the position.

More than 70 PTI members had signed the plea to appoint Achakzai as the leader of the opposition, a demand they had been making for a considerable time.

Achakzai, a senior parliamentarian and head of his party, will now assume the constitutional role of the opposition leader in the lower house of the parliament.

The position carries key responsibilities, including consultation in important state appointments and playing a central role in parliamentary oversight.

The office of the leader of the opposition had remained under discussion in recent weeks amid evolving parliamentary alignments.