Achakzai formalizes his appointment after the opposition presented a unanimous nomination; The vacancy has persisted since August 7.
A photo of TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREEN CAPTURE
ISLAMABAD:
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has been formally appointed leader of the opposition in Pakistan’s National Assembly, ending a vacancy that had persisted since August 7.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf representatives Barrister Gohar and opposition chief Aamir Dogar to his chamber to collect the official notification.
“This was our right,” Gohar said, highlighting the prolonged absence of a designated opposition leader. The president confirmed Achakzai’s appointment, formalizing the position in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
No other candidates filed nomination papers, leaving Achakzai, who also heads the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP), as the only candidate after the deadline for filing nominations closed on Tuesday. PTI-backed independent legislators filed their nomination papers in his favour. Verification of the signatures on the nomination documents was carried out on Wednesday.
Read: Achakzai to become opposition leader as National Assembly nominations close
The development follows a letter sent by PTI chief Malik Amir Dogar to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq earlier in the day. The letter said that the majority of the opposition had unanimously nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as its leader.
He stressed that according to democratic traditions, the opposition has the right to elect its leader and urged the president to issue the notification immediately in accordance with Article 39 of the 2007 Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly.
Rule 39 states that the leader of the opposition must be chosen from among the opposition members of the House who enjoy the confidence of the majority of opposition legislators.
Read more: President launches the process of appointing the leader of the opposition
Earlier, a PTI delegation concluded a meeting with the National Assembly Speaker. The delegation included Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Malik Amir Dogar, who described the talks as constructive.
“We addressed all concerns and there are no objections regarding the nomination papers submitted,” Barrister Gohar said. He added that signature verification will be completed on Wednesday and that the opposition leader will be formally announced later.
He also said the National Assembly would have its own opposition leader during Friday’s session, noting that no other nominations had been made. “There were no discussions about negotiations in the president’s office,” he added.
President Ayaz Sadiq on Monday began the process to appoint the opposition leader in accordance with parliamentary rules, ordering opposition lawmakers to submit their nominations by 3pm on Tuesday.
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It had also asked opposition parties to resubmit a signed list of members to the President’s Office after fixing a new date for the process.
Speaking on a point of order in the House, PTI Opposition Chief Malik Amir Dogar said 76 opposition members had already signed documents nominating Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader and submitted them to the Speaker’s Office. He said the opposition would resubmit the list as per the President’s directive, while again demanding immediate issuance of the notification.
