ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Friday informed a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation that the matter of appointing the opposition leader in the lower house was “sub judice.”
The development comes after the conviction of PTI-backed Omer Ayub Khan in the May 9 cases, following which the party nominated Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the post of opposition leader.
During a meeting with the PTI delegation — led by Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and comprising former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and other members — the speaker said the issue was under consideration by the courts.
An official handout from the National Assembly Secretariat stated that “detailed discussions were held regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition, and the speaker informed the delegation that the matter was currently sub judice.”
Sadiq stressed that Parliament was the “most credible institution of democracy” and urged all political parties to play a constructive role in strengthening the system. He called on the opposition to adopt a “positive and active role” in parliamentary proceedings, adding that both the government and opposition should advance with “consultation and cooperation” to address the country’s political and economic challenges.
The speaker reiterated his commitment to act as a bridge between both sides for “national reconciliation, parliamentary traditions, and the consolidation of democracy,” expressing hope that all lawmakers would contribute effectively to the legislative process in the public interest.
The Senate also remains without an opposition leader following the conviction of Shibli Faraz, with PTI nominating Allama Raja Nasir Abbas for the position.
Later, speaking at a press conference, PTI leader Asad Qaiser urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to reject the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment in its entirety if it wished to uphold its legacy of people-oriented politics.
He said that the contributions of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to democracy were “a distinguished chapter in history” and that the party’s role in drafting the 1973 Constitution was “fundamental.”
“Despite this legacy, the PPP appears inclined toward compromise — accepting some amendments while rejecting others,” he said, adding that a complete rejection would signal a return to popular politics.
Qaiser said the PTI would challenge the amendment in court and mobilise public support against it.
Criticising the judiciary, he claimed that “politically motivated delays” in cases had eroded judicial credibility. “When verdicts by larger benches are not implemented, it raises serious questions about the justice system,” he remarked.
He added that “justice has practically vanished” and called on the judiciary to fulfil its “primary duty” of protecting citizens’ rights. Referring to the 2007 lawyers’ movement, he said the nation had previously stood with the judiciary and would do so again if it acted to uphold constitutional supremacy.
Qaiser also said that PTI’s contacts with other opposition parties were ongoing, revealing that a meeting had been held with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to thank him for supporting the nomination of the opposition leader in the National Assembly.
“The Maulana hosted a dinner where it was agreed that all opposition parties would hold internal consultations before forming a joint strategy,” he said.
Paying tribute to Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Qaiser lauded his “services for democracy” and expressed hope that “unjust cases” against him would soon be heard and resolved.
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