Mehmood Achakzai designated as opposition leader following prolonged delay in the National Assembly.

Following an extended postponement, the National Assembly has nominated an opposition leader, with NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq releasing a notification designating Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, for the position.

Not Applicable Speaker Sadiq confirmed Achakzai’s designation as Leader of the Opposition and summoned PTI’s Amir Dogar to his chamber to deliver the notification.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that there was a two-day interval between sessions and that attendance was below the norm, proposing the postponement of the Question Hour. Sadiq stated that there would be no Question Hour today and, acknowledging the members’ diligent efforts, decided not to defer the proceedings.

PTI leader Barrister Gohar stated that he discovered the day prior that a solitary PTCL meeting incurs a cost of $8,000. He stated that the Speaker had previously indicated the notification will be released on Thursday. The Speaker stated he will delegate House business to the committees, proceed to his chamber, and subsequently make the notification.

Barrister Gohar noted that in the neighboring country of India, assembly sessions endure for a minimum of six hours. Tariq Fazal reiterated that attendance in the House was well below the standard level.

During the session, multiple bills were introduced in the National Assembly, including the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, Railways Transfer (Amendment) Ordinance, National Tariff Commission (Amendment) Bill, Export Development Fund (Amendment) Bill, Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2026, Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Amendment Bill, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, Alternative Dispute Resolution (Amendment) Bill, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Property and Management Bill.

All these bills were introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

The Speaker prohibited 32 members from joining the House due to their failure to submit asset declarations to the Election Commission. He instructed that members who had not made asset declarations should not be recorded as present, stating that any such member remaining in the House should exit voluntarily, as the list was accessible for them to verify their names.