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NA Secretariat Seeks Clarity on Omar Ayub’s Court Cases to Proceed with Opposition Leader Appointment
National Assembly Secretariat seeks PTI’s clarification on Omar Ayub’s pending court cases, delaying the appointment of the opposition leader. The opposition urges swift recognition of nominees.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-08
NA Secretariat Seeks Clarity on Omar Ayub’s Court Cases to Proceed with Opposition Leader Appointment

The positions of the leader of the opposition in both the National Assembly and Senate have remained vacant since August, following the disqualification of PTI’s Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). This came after both politicians were convicted in connection with the May 9 incidents, leading to their removal from the respective offices.

While the PTI has nominated Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the National Assembly opposition leader role and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas for the Senate, neither of their appointments has been officially recognised or notified.

In a statement today, a spokesperson for the NA Secretariat revealed that the letter to Malik Aamir Dogar sought a written clarification on the status of Omar Ayub’s cases, asking whether they remain pending in any court. The clarification is crucial to proceed with the nomination process.

Delay in the Process

The NA Secretariat noted that PTI had earlier informed them that Ayub’s cases were not pending in any court. However, no written confirmation had been provided. Without this documentation, the process for formalising the opposition leader’s appointment could not move forward.

The spokesperson stressed that Dogar’s prompt response with the required written clarification was necessary to complete the nomination procedure. Once the documents are received, the appointment process for the opposition leader in the National Assembly can continue.

Political Reactions and Calls for Action

Meanwhile, the delay in appointing opposition leaders has sparked frustration within the political community. Former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, a prominent PTI figure, had previously assured that all necessary documents had been submitted to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. However, Sadiq has maintained that the matter of nominating the opposition leader is still “sub judice,” meaning it is under judicial consideration.

Veteran parliamentarians, constitutional experts, and parliamentary reporters have called for swift action on the issue, demanding that both Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani immediately recognise the opposition’s democratic right to appoint leaders in the two houses. They urge that the nominated leaders be formally recognised, allowing the parliamentary process to continue smoothly.

Implications for Governance

The ongoing delay in appointing the opposition leader has raised questions about the efficiency of parliamentary functions, with some critics arguing that such procedural delays could hinder effective governance. The appointment of the opposition leader is critical for the functioning of parliamentary committees, debates, and the overall check-and-balance system.
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