ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Secretariat responded to MNA Amir Dogar’s letter regarding the appointment of the opposition leader, stating that no proposal or recommendation can be considered until the Speaker formally announces the schedule.
According to a spokesperson, the response refers to Articles 39 and 39-B of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the National Assembly, which provide the complete process for submitting nominations and declaring the leader of the opposition.
According to Rule 39 (2), the president is responsible for announcing the date, time and place where members of the National Assembly can present duly signed proposals. The spokesperson added that parliamentary tradition requires that the announcement be made on the House floor, ensuring that all members have the same opportunity to propose a candidate.
As this announcement has not yet been made by the speaker, no request or proposal can be considered at this stage. The Secretariat will only proceed after the official declaration is made in accordance with the Regulations.
The response also refers to the recent order of the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dated October 29, 2025, on the guilty plea of Omer Ayub. The court set aside the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) earlier stay of the sine die writ petitions and directed the high court to determine their maintainability and dispose of them accordingly.
The spokesperson confirmed that the issue regarding the disqualification of former opposition leader Omar Ayub is still sub judice before the APS, and any appointment process of the opposition leader will be carried out only after legal clarity and formal announcement by the president.
