ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Monday signalled the potential rejection of PTI’s nominee Mehmood Achakzai for opposition leader, accusing him of threatening to disrupt Parliament – a remark that sparked a fiery rebuttal from the PTI.
Speaker Sadiq’s bold remarks swiftly ignited a political firestorm, with PTI leaders erupting in anger, accusing him of glaring “double standards” and abusing his position to settle political scores.
Referring to Achakzai’s recent statement about bringing the NA proceedings to a standstill, Ayaz Sadiq fired back, declaring, “The proceedings of the National Assembly will not be bulldozed through force,” reaffirming his unwavering commitment to protecting the sanctity of Parliament at all costs.
He warned that any anti-state or anti-Parliament actions would face a decisive response, adding that provocative language would be met with firm opposition. While leaving the door open for dialogue, he stressed that disruptive actions were unacceptable.
He recalled the turbulent events of 2014 when Parliament had played a key role in protecting the Constitution and democracy. He warned that any attempt to destabilise the institution would be countered firmly, reinforcing his commitment to uphold the constitutional system. “We must collectively discourage any statements that undermine the integrity of Parliament,” he added, underscoring that his responsibility as the custodian of the House was to maintain the democratic traditions of the country.
In direct response, PTI leader Barrister Gohar accused the Speaker of misinterpreting Achakzai’s words. “If Achakzai says he will obstruct Parliament, it does not mean he intends to attack it physically,” Khan argued.
He pointed to a previous controversial remark by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who had threatened to ‘break the legs’ of those insulting Punjabis, using it to highlight what he saw as hypocrisy in the Speaker’s criticism of Achakzai.
He also stressed that Achakzai, who has the support of 74 opposition members, enjoys the majority backing to serve as opposition leader.
He accused the NA Speaker of ignoring PTI’s constitutional right to nominate its opposition leader, calling Sadiq’s remarks politically biased, while clarifying that Achakzai’s comments on obstructing Parliament were not meant to suggest a physical attack on the House.
“Achakzai has been a key figure in every democratic struggle alongside the PPP and PML-N for the past 30 years. It’s only in the last year and a half that he has aligned with PTI. He’s a staunch advocate for democracy, not a disruptor,” he added.
Gohar pointed to Achakzai’s historical challenge to General Zia-ul-Haq’s 8th Constitutional Amendment and his father’s sacrifices for democracy as evidence of his commitment to democratic principles.
Referring to last year’s arrests of PTI lawmakers inside Parliament by police, he said, “We were attacked by people, and we asked for your protection, but you failed to safeguard us. So, Mr Speaker, don’t worry – we are not going to attack Parliament like we were attacked, and you failed to protect us as the custodian of the House.”
In a final rebuke to both PPP and PML-N, Gohar said, “PTI has never accused you of anything. It is the PPP and PML-N who’ve been calling each other thieves.”
At the session’s start, Shumaila Rana of PML-N moved a resolution condemning Achakzai’s remarks as incitement to hate and an attack on Parliament, but the NA Speaker dismissed it, stating he had already addressed the issue.
Speaking on a point of order, PTI senior leaders Asad Qaiser warned the government that any attempt to impose Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would have serious repercussions.
He stated that if the government is determined to proceed with this, the federal government would be directly responsible for the consequences.
In response to Qaiser, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that Governor’s Rule is a constitutional process and any action in the national interest should be taken, but he refrained from commenting on the government’s plans to impose it.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025