The process for appointing the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly moved closer to resolution on Tuesday as senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders held talks with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber.
A PTI delegation led by Barrister Gohar arrived at the speaker’s office to discuss the long-pending nomination. The speaker had also invited Asad Qaiser, and Malik Aamir Dogar to the meeting.
Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was also present in the Speaker’s Chamber during the discussions.
Single, united nomination
Speaking during the meeting, Chief Whip Aamir Dogar said there was no grouping within the PTI regarding the opposition leadership. He clarified that only one set of nomination papers had been submitted and confirmed that they were filed in the name of Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
“Our opposition leader is Mahmood Khan Achakzai,” Dogar stated, adding that no rival candidate had submitted nomination papers.
Assurances and objections
Former speaker Asad Qaiser said all constitutional and procedural requirements had been fulfilled. “I myself have been the speaker. I hope there will be no further delay in the appointment of the opposition leader,” he told the meeting.
After the talks, Barrister Gohar said the meeting took place in a positive and cordial atmosphere. He added that all objections raised earlier had been resolved and that there were no longer any objections to the nomination papers.
Announcement expected soon
Barrister Gohar said that by Thursday, the signatures of National Assembly members supporting the nomination would be verified.
He expressed confidence that the opposition leader would be formally announced on Thursday, allowing the opposition to take its seat in Friday’s National Assembly session.
He also confirmed that no nomination papers had been submitted against Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Senate opposition leader next
Barrister Gohar further revealed that once the matter is settled in the National Assembly, the opposition will move to appoint a leader of the opposition in the Senate as well. He clarified that there was no discussion of broader political negotiations during the Speaker’s office meeting.
The PTI delegation’s meeting with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq concluded after detailed deliberations, signaling an end to uncertainty surrounding the opposition leadership.
Earlier, PTI Chief Whip Dogar wrote a letter to Ayaz Sadiq regarding the appointment of the opposition leader. In the letter, Dogar stated that the majority of the opposition has unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the opposition leader.
He pointed out that the post of opposition leader remained vacant, and under democratic norms and parliamentary traditions, the opposition had the constitutional right to elect its own leader.
The letter urged the speaker to immediately issue a formal notification under Rule 39 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct, 2007, to finalize the appointment without further delay.
