Islamabad, January 13, 2026: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday announced that Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai is expected to be formally notified as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly by Thursday.
Speaking to media at the National Assembly, Barrister Gohar said that Achakzai, who also chairs the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), had submitted his nomination papers, and verification of the submissions is expected to be completed by Wednesday. He noted that so far, only one nomination has been made.
Addressing party matters, Barrister Gohar clarified that there is no forward bloc within PTI and reaffirmed that Imran Khan remains the party chairman. “Khan Sahib was, he is, and will be the PTI chairman,” he asserted, adding that no political decision or apex committee can override his position.
PTI was required to nominate new opposition leaders in both houses following the removal of former National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz on August 9, after their convictions in the May 9 cases.
In a separate development, PTI Chief Whip Malik Aamir Dogar wrote to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, stating that the opposition had “unanimously” nominated Achakzai. He emphasized that the post has remained vacant since August last year and urged the Speaker to issue the notification immediately, in accordance with Rule 39 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct, 2007.
A PTI delegation led by Barrister Gohar had met Speaker Sadiq on Monday to discuss the nomination process. The delegation, which included Asad Qaiser, Aamir Dogar, Atif Khan, and other MNAs, said they were assured the appointment would be finalized by Thursday.
Speaker Sadiq had requested opposition members to submit their nominations by 3pm on January 13. He stated that the signatures on the nomination papers will be verified and counted on January 14, after which the official appointment of the opposition leader will be announced.
