PTI Founder Nominates Mahmood Achakzai as New Opposition Leader

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai to become the new Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

According to party sources, the decision was shared during meetings with visitors at Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder is currently held. This nomination follows the recent removal of Omar Ayub from the position of opposition leader.

The National Assembly Secretariat issued a notification declaring the seat vacant. Omar Ayub has claimed that his removal was politically motivated and linked to his strong anti-corruption stance.

PTI leaders say Achakzai is expected to take over as opposition leader and represent the party in upcoming parliamentary sessions. This is seen as a major leadership shift for PTI as it reorganizes its strategy inside the National Assembly.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai has already taken a bold stance, saying he will not be part of any government-backed committees. Speaking to the media, he said, “I resign from all committees that are part of the government, and I urge PTI to do the same.”

Achakzai also proposed a parallel political move: “We should create our own assembly outside Parliament, with Asad Qaiser as Speaker. We have over 100 members and we will show the people that we are the real representatives.”

He repeated his position that this is a “fake Parliament” and that PTI’s mandate was stolen. He also criticized unusual developments like the IMF appearing in court, calling it a historic first.

Drawing a comparison with Turkey, Achakzai recalled how the Turkish army tried to remove President Erdogan, but the people defended democracy and brought him back to power. He used this example to urge Pakistanis to stand by the constitution.

The nomination of Mahmood Khan Achakzai signals a new direction for PTI’s opposition strategy, with more confrontational and symbolic steps expected in the coming weeks.