ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Tuesday urged the formation of a “national government” to restore political consensus and navigate the country through mounting crises, warning that the nation faced unprecedented domestic and regional challenges.
Speaking in National Assembly during a debate on the situation in Iran, Achakzai, head of the major opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP), said the parliament must reclaim its authority as the source of national power and the constitution its ultimate guide.
“We should agree on some democratic points at least – Parliament will be the source of power, supremacy of the constitution, policies will originate from here,” he added.
Achakzai said the time for mutual blames had passed and insisted political leaders must unite under a national government. “We will have to move toward a national government. We will have to agree on some points. We will have to ask the establishment to give some space,” he said.
He raised concerns over the advancing age of key politicians, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, warning of the consequences if these figures were no longer active. “God forbid, if these four to five people are not here anymore, the remaining would not be able to do anything,” he said.
Calling for a summit of leading politicians, including Zardari, Nawaz, Shehbaz, and jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, he stressed that the country could only progress through “collective wisdom.”
He accused the powerful military establishment of attempting to undermine Khan but said these efforts had failed. “Due to our own mistakes, this system is not functional anymore,” he claimed.
Achakzai doubled down on his defence of Imran Khan, rejecting any attempts by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling coalition of PML-N, or the powers that be to marginalise the former prime minister.
Citing previous political manoeuvres, including the creation of the Patriotic Party and factional splits, he said such tactics had failed.
The opposition leader condemned the state of Pakistan’s governance since the 2024 general elections, which brought a PML-N-led coalition to power.
“This system has collapsed; whatever happened after the 2024 elections,” he said, criticising the absence of Prime Minister Sharif from the assembly session.
Achakzai did not spare international figures from his scrutiny, warning that one individual – a thinly veiled reference to US President Donald Trump – sought to drag the world into conflict.
He urged Pakistan to leverage its strategic importance, particularly in the context of Afghanistan, which he described as a longstanding ally.
In an apparent reference to USD 3.5 billion payment, he demanded uninterrupted parliamentary sessions and questioned why traditional allies were withdrawing financial support.
He argued that Pakistan, rich in resources, could overcome crises through self-reliance and unity rather than dependence on foreign aid.
Highlighting domestic economic distress, he criticised the closure of the border with Afghanistan, citing its impact on Punjab farmers and provincial economies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Cross-border trade has provided daily livelihoods for ordinary people, including children. The shutdown is creating famine-like conditions and rising unrest,” he warned, calling for improved bilateral relations and dialogue.
On foreign policy, Achakzai framed Pakistan as a potential mediator between Iran and the United States, urging the government to capitalise on diplomatic trust to expand regional influence.
He also stressed the need for treating Afghan citizens fairly, warning that neglect could result in long-term enmity.
In his final remarks, Achakzai urged political unity at home. He decried domestic divisions, calling on lawmakers and citizens alike to understand one another and work collectively to overcome the country’s challenges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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