Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday formally notified veteran politician Mehmood Khan Achakzai as the Leader of the Opposition, concluding days of consultations between the treasury and opposition benches.

According to reports aired by 24NewsHD TV, a consensus had already been reached between both sides, paving the way for Achakzai’s appointment to the key constitutional position. The decision follows nearly a week of discussions aimed at finalizing a mutually agreed candidate.

The process gathered pace earlier this week when Speaker Ayaz Sadiq summoned senior opposition leaders to his chamber during Tuesday’s National Assembly session to review the nomination. The meeting was attended by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, former Speaker Asad Qaiser, and PTI leader Aamir Dogar, and lasted close to an hour.

Parliamentary sources said both the government and opposition leadership agreed to propose a single name for the post, settling on Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Following the meeting, the Speaker initiated the required legal and procedural steps to issue the official notification.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that all objections to the nomination papers had been resolved and that verification of signatures was underway. He stated that the formal announcement was expected by Thursday, with the opposition leader assuming office during Friday’s sitting.

PTI leader Aamir Dogar also confirmed that the opposition had unanimously endorsed Achakzai’s nomination, while Asad Qaiser emphasized that the process should proceed without unnecessary delays.

With the notification now issued, Mehmood Khan Achakzai has officially assumed charge as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

Achakzai is a senior parliamentarian and the Chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). Born on December 14, 1948, he is widely known for his long-standing advocacy of Pashtun rights, democratic principles, and regional autonomy.

He holds an engineering degree from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar, and was re-elected as Chairman of PkMAP during the party’s 7th National Congress in December 2022. Achakzai has been serving as a Member of the National Assembly since February 29, 2024.

His appointment fills a crucial constitutional vacancy and is expected to play a significant role in shaping parliamentary discourse and opposition strategy in the current National Assembly.