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Mehmood Khan Achakzai Appointed Opposition Leader After Months-Long Delay
After months of delay, TTAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai appointed Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, with effect from Jan 16, 2026.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-16
Mehmood Khan Achakzai Appointed Opposition Leader After Months-Long Delay

Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai was officially appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on Friday, ending a months-long delay in filling the key parliamentary position.

According to a notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat and seen by Dawn, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq declared Achakzai as opposition leader with effect from January 16, 2026, under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.

“Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan had nominated Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the post in August last year,” the notification confirmed.

Prior to the issuance of the notification, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Chief Whip Amir Dogar to his chamber, informing them that a notification regarding the opposition leadership was ready.

“Come to my chamber, I have a notification to give,” Sadiq told Gohar on the floor of the house, after which the three proceeded to the speaker’s chamber while the session continued under the acting speaker.

Following the meeting, Barrister Gohar announced that Achakzai’s appointment had finally been notified.

“The notification was supposed to be issued yesterday, but it was delayed due to some issues. Today, it has finally been issued,” Gohar said, adding that the appointment was the opposition’s constitutional right and had come after an undue delay.

The position of opposition leader had remained vacant for nearly five months following the disqualification of Omar Ayub Khan in August 2025.

🟥 Congratulations and Reactions

Former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan congratulated Achakzai, expressing confidence that he would “fulfil his responsibilities brilliantly”.

“It is a great singular honour, and Mahmud Khan Achakzai sahib will, InshahAllah, fulfil his responsibilities brilliantly,” Ayub said in a post on X.

PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan also congratulated Achakzai, calling the appointment “a great honour and responsibility” bestowed by Imran Khan. He expressed hope that Achakzai would play a key role in securing the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and help restore democratic norms.

Other PTI leaders, including Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, Ali Asghar Khan, and Naureen Farooq Ibrahim, also welcomed the appointment and expressed confidence in Achakzai’s leadership.

🟥 Background to the Delay

PTI formally submitted Achakzai’s nomination papers to the NA speaker on January 13, marking the second attempt to nominate him for the post. Earlier submissions in October 2025 were made to the speaker’s office rather than directly to him.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had previously stated that the matter was “sub judice”, referring to Omar Ayub’s legal challenges against his disqualification, which were later withdrawn.

Following the completion of procedural requirements and submission of relevant documents earlier this month, the speaker formally initiated the process on January 6, paving the way for Achakzai’s appointment.
Tagged:

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