ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Azam Khan Swati for the same position in the Senate. The announcement was made after senior PTI leaders met Khan at Adiala Jail on Tuesday.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed that the party had finalized both names following internal consultations. He added that Khan personally directed the leadership to move ahead with Achakzai and Swati as consensus candidates for the two key roles.
The decision follows the recent disqualification of former opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz by the Election Commission of Pakistan under constitutional provisions after convictions in cases linked to the May 9 unrest. Both leaders have since filed petitions before the Peshawar High Court challenging the verdicts.
According to PTI leaders, the party’s political committee has also been tasked with deciding its strategy for the upcoming by-elections and reviewing potential candidates for opposition roles in the Punjab Assembly. The committee is expected to convene later this week to finalize recommendations.
Observers note that the nomination of Mahmood Khan Achakzai marks an effort by PTI to strengthen alliances with smaller but influential political forces at a time when opposition leadership remains fragmented. Party insiders say Khan wants to project an image of inclusivity while countering government initiatives in parliament.
Meanwhile, PTI sources maintain that the party will continue its legal and political struggle against what it describes as attempts to marginalize its leadership. The outcome of the pending petitions against disqualifications is likely to shape the balance of opposition politics in the coming weeks.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.