Speaker NA orders verification of signatures backing Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has chaired a meeting to review the nomination of Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the National Assembly.

The officials from the legislative branch briefed the Speaker on the nomination of the Opposition Leader.

The Speaker orders the officials to confirm that all 74 opposition members who backed the nominee had signed it.

There was also discussion on Rule 39 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, which deals with the appointment of the Opposition Leader.

According to reports, the Speaker chose not to hasten the process and would make a final decision following the verification of signatures. The Speaker is under no time constraint to make the announcement.

Additionally, it was made clear that the National Assembly does not have any parliamentary organizations with the names of Sunni Ittehad Council or Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that are legally recognized.

Earlier, the opposition in the National Assembly officially nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the opposition leader.

The application was submitted by the opposition to the office of the Secretary National Assembly Mushtaq, which was presented by Chief Whip Aamir Dogar, Asad Qaiser, and other leaders.

The application has the signatures of 74 opposition members of the assembly, who unanimously expressed confidence in Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

According to sources, three PTI members could not sign the application as they were abroad.