Islamabad, August 20, 2026: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Thursday agreed in principle to form a “united opposition” to strengthen coordination and develop a joint parliamentary and political strategy.
The understanding was reached during meetings between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the opposition leaders at Parliament House in Islamabad, according to a spokesperson for the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP).
The meetings focused on the country’s prevailing political situation, parliamentary affairs, cooperation among opposition parties and the future political strategy of the opposition.
The participants expressed concern over what they described as the government’s “attitude and behaviour” towards the opposition in both the National Assembly and Senate. They maintained that in a democratic system, the opposition’s voice should be heard rather than suppressed.
According to the TTAP statement, the participants also discussed government policies, the role of the opposition in parliament and strategies to safeguard the Constitution and democracy.
Fazlur Rehman and Achakzai exchanged views on strengthening contacts among opposition parties and developing a coordinated parliamentary strategy. The participants agreed to continue consultations with other opposition groups and formulate a joint course of action.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Fazlur Rehman described Thursday’s gathering as the first formal session among the opposition parties and confirmed that they had agreed to work towards establishing a united opposition.
“This was the first session, and further consultations will also take place. All opposition parties will come together to form the opposition,” Fazlur Rehman said.
He said contacts among opposition parties would be strengthened and a joint strategy would subsequently be finalised. He also suggested that the possibility of convening an All Parties Conference should be discussed.
The opposition leaders also expressed serious concern over the health of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
According to the opposition alliance, the leaders demanded that Imran be shifted to a hospital at the earliest in accordance with the Supreme Court’s recent order and provided the best possible medical treatment.
They stressed that no politics should be played over the former prime minister’s health and that he should be provided immediate and appropriate medical care on humanitarian and medical grounds.
PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also attended the meeting. The JUI-F delegation included MNA Uthman Badini, Senator Kamran Murad, Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay and Maulana Kamaluddin.
PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak, Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar and lawmakers Atif Khan, Shehram Khan Tarakai, Sanaullah Masti Khel and Ali Asghar Khan also participated. MPA Asif Khan Mehsud was also present.
The move towards a united opposition comes a day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met opposition leaders at Parliament House.
Bilawal’s meeting focused on parliamentary affairs and the political situation in the country. He urged opposition lawmakers to participate actively in parliamentary committees and reconsider their boycott of the parliamentary process.
The PPP and opposition leaders also agreed to maintain contact and cooperate on legislation in parliament, particularly on electoral reforms.
The separate engagements indicate increasing political interaction between opposition groups and the ruling coalition partner PPP, even as opposition parties move towards greater coordination among themselves.
The opposition’s decision to pursue a united platform could have significant implications for parliamentary politics, particularly as debates over electoral reforms, constitutional matters, governance and the implementation of Supreme Court orders continue to shape the political landscape.
