ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly of Pakistan, the lower house of parliament, on Friday appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the leader of the opposition, according to an official notification.
The position had remained vacant for nearly five months following the disqualification of Omar Ayub in August 2025. Ayub, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was disqualified after being convicted in cases linked to violent riots in May 2023.
“In pursuance of rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, Honorable Speaker has been pleased to declare Mehmood Khan Achakzai… as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly,” the NA Secretariat said in a notification.
Honourable Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has been pleased to declare Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, MNA as Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly. #NASession @AyazSadiq122 @PTVNewsOfficial @RadioPakistan pic.twitter.com/ocTQYdxhdY
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) January 16, 2026
The leader of the opposition plays a vital role in upholding parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability by scrutinising government policies, legislation and executive actions, raising public concerns and presenting alternative perspectives.
Beyond legislative oversight, the leader of the opposition plays a consultative role in major state appointments, including those of the prime minister, the chief election commissioner and caretaker governments, while also facilitating dialogue between the treasury benches and the opposition.
The appointment of Achakzai, head of the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, was announced after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Chief Whip Amir Dogar on Friday.
On January 13, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan confirmed the party’s submission of Achakzai’s nomination papers to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
