Fresh elections demanded: Achakzai steps up criticism of federal govt

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday said the Shehbaz Sharif government was on “borrowed time” and called for the formation of a national government to hold fresh elections.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Achakzai said former prime minister Imran Khan was the country’s most popular leader and that his transfer to hospital for treatment, as well as meetings with his family members, were his rights.

“One thing is absolutely certain: no one will accept the minus-Imran Khan formula,” he maintained.

Achakzai said changing faces rather than the system had brought the country to its current situation, and proposed the formation of a national government whose primary responsibility would be to conduct elections.

“If Maulana Fazlur Rehman becomes prime minister of the national government, I will vote for him,” he declared.

Separately, senior PTI leaders led by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser called on NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and discussed the country’s political situation, Imran Khan’s health and implementation of a Supreme Court order concerning his treatment.

Qaiser said he hoped the political process would lead to a positive development, but added that the immediate focus should remain on Khan’s health.

He said the PTI delegation held talks with the NA speaker on implementation of the apex court’s order and urged Sadiq to ensure that the decision was implemented “in letter and spirit”.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar said referendums could be held in areas where there was a demand for new provinces.

He said Article 239 of the Constitution could be amended with a two-thirds majority if necessary.

“Pakistan cannot continue to be run under the monopoly of four provinces,” he said, adding that any constitutional provision obstructing the creation of new provinces should be amended.

Sattar said discussions on the creation of new provinces were now taking place even among the country’s decision-making institutions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026