Islamabad: 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.
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had nominated Achakzai for the role in August last year. The National Assembly Secretariat, in a notification seen by The Daar News, stated that Honourable Speaker has been pleased to declare Mr Mehmood Khan Achakzai, member of the National Assembly, as Leader of the Opposition in the NA, with effect from January 16, 2026.” The notification was issued under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
Prior to the issuance, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Chief Whip Amir Dogar to his chamber, telling them: “Come to my chamber, I have a notification to give.” Following the meeting, the PTI leadership confirmed Achakzai’s appointment to the press.
Speaking after the notification, Gohar Ali Khan said the announcement had been delayed due to procedural issues, but expressed relief that the process was finally complete. Although it was our right, we received it today after a long delay, he remarked.
The appointment was welcomed across political lines, with former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan offering congratulations. In a post on X, he described the role as “a great singular honour” and expressed confidence that Achakzai would “fulfil his responsibilities brilliantly.”
PTI leaders also lauded the development. Ali Muhammad Khan expressed hope that Achakzai, in his new capacity, would work towards securing the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan and PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and put derailed democracy back on track.
Other PTI figures, including Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, Ali Asghar Khan, and Naureen Farooq Ibrahim, echoed similar sentiments, praising Achakzai for taking on “this great responsibility” and expressing confidence in his commitment to the people’s cause.
The NA opposition leader’s slot had been vacant for nearly five months following the disqualification of PTI’s Omar Ayub in August 2025. Achakzai’s nomination had been formally submitted twice—first in October 2025 and again in January 2026 after which the NA Secretariat sought additional documentation regarding Ayub’s legal cases.
The process, which faced repeated delays amid political disputes, was officially renewed during the January 6 National Assembly session, when Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq initiated the appointment process afresh by inviting nominations for the opposition leader.
With Friday’s notification, Achakzai now assumes a critical role in the National Assembly, representing the opposition at a time of heightened political sensitivity.