The notification issued last Friday brought the National Assembly out of a prolonged deadlock, during which the lower house functioned without an officially recognised opposition leader. Achakzai’s nomination, made on the direction of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, immediately raised questions about timing and political intent.
Critics have pointed out that a similar request by PTI was turned down in October, asking why the decision was taken now, just weeks before PTI’s planned protest on February 8. This timing has led to speculation that the appointment is part of a broader effort to ease political tensions and draw opposition politics back into Parliament.
Rumours also circulated that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the decision. However, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq rejected these claims, stating that the decision was entirely his own and that he had full authority to act. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while not directly confirming intervention, hinted that major political decisions are made through consultation, with Nawaz Sharif having final say within his party.
Political sources say the appointments of opposition leaders in both the National Assembly and the Senate are part of a wider understanding aimed at ending institutional paralysis. Senior figures in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz believe Achakzai’s role could help bring PTI away from street protests and back into parliamentary politics.
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed welcomed the development, saying the absence of an opposition leader had crippled Parliament. He described Achakzai’s appointment as the completion of the parliamentary system, allowing the assembly to function properly in line with constitutional and democratic requirements.
Rasheed added that Achakzai now carries the responsibility of steering PTI away from protest-driven politics and encouraging constructive engagement within Parliament. He described Achakzai as a committed democrat who could help reshape the opposition’s political approach and promote dialogue over confrontation.
However, PTI-linked voices have urged caution. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said while the appointment could help improve parliamentary functioning, it alone would not be enough to pull PTI off the streets. He said meaningful engagement would require the government to acknowledge past actions against the party and address what PTI considers violations of its democratic rights.
Yousafzai also rejected claims of direct contact between Nawaz Sharif and Achakzai, calling such reports false and politically motivated. He confirmed, however, that Rana Sanaullah had contacted Achakzai after the appointment to congratulate him and renew an offer for dialogue, an outreach he suggested had the former prime minister’s approval.
He stressed that Imran Khan remains the key decision-maker for PTI, and no major political move would be made without his knowledge. As the political landscape adjusts to the new appointment, observers say the coming weeks will show whether this step marks a genuine shift toward parliamentary dialogue or remains a symbolic gesture amid continued political tensions.
