Mahmood Achakzai’s appointment as NA opposition leader to happen tomorrow, Sanaullah predicts

Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said he hoped the Speaker of the National Assembly would take a positive decision on the appointment of Mahmood Khan Achakzai as Opposition Leader in Friday’s session.

Speaking in an interview about capital talk Speaking on a private news station, the PML-N leader said: “The process initiated by the spokesperson, according to my information, has been concluded today in favor of Mahmood Khan Achakzai. There is a [NA] session tomorrow too, so I hope the speaker announces his decision.

Read: Achakzai to become opposition leader as National Assembly nominations close

PTI chief Malik Amir Dogar also backed the stance, saying he had completed his part of the process in his capacity as PTI chief and formal notification was now only awaited for the NA opposition leader.

Dogar said he would not be able to attend Friday’s session because he will travel to Karachi, where he plans to attend a public meeting of the opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan and participate in other activities. He added that he would return on Monday.

Sanaullah expressed hope that tensions between the government and the opposition would ease once the notification to the NA opposition leader was issued. He said opposition parties should reconsider their boycott of parliamentary standing committees and resume participation in parliamentary proceedings in accordance with the law and rules.

“All problems can only be resolved through dialogue at the table of parliament and politicians,” he said, adding that debates should also be held on the Charter of Democracy, the Charter of Economy and the prime minister’s offer of a Stability Charter for Pakistan.

“If they sit down and talk, the solution will come from there. No solution will come from any wheel jam or anywhere else,” he added.

For now, the opposition is still waiting for notification of Achakzai’s appointment. On Tuesday, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief filed his nomination papers for the post after being formally nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Achakzai will take office unopposed as no other candidates filed nomination papers. PTI-backed independent legislators also filed nomination papers in his favour.

On the same day, Dogar wrote to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urging him to issue the notification immediately in accordance with Rule 39 of the 2007 Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly.

Rule 39 states that the opposition leader must be chosen from among opposition members who enjoy the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.