According to the notification, issued under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, the approval was granted by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and took effect from January 16, 2026.
The speaker formally handed over the notification to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and senior PTI leader Amir Dogar.
During the National Assembly session, Ayaz Sadiq stressed that political parties must work together to improve the overall performance of the house and said consultations would be held to guide the assembly’s future proceedings. Responding to the remarks, Barrister Gohar reminded the speaker that a commitment had been made to issue the notification by Thursday.
The development follows the disqualification of the former opposition leader, Umar Ayub, who was removed from his National Assembly seat. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former prime minister Imran Khan had nominated Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the position, citing his seniority in politics and his role in the constitutional restoration movement.
PTI had also submitted a formal request to the National Assembly Secretariat, backed by more than 70 signatures from its members, seeking Achakzai’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition.
Achakzai, who has been associated with constitutional and democratic advocacy, is expected to play an influential role in shaping political debate and parliamentary strategy in the National Assembly.
