Ayaz Sadiq seeks nominations for opposition leader as PPP stages walkout
Pakistan
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq opened nominations for opposition leader, ending months-long delay, while PPP embarrassed the government by walking out over an alleged unconstitutional ordinance.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Monday invited proposals for the nomination of a new opposition leader, a post vacant since August 2025 after PTI’s Omar Ayub was disqualified by the ECP.
He said the delay occurred because the matter was sub judice and the NA Secretariat was a party to the case.
— National Assembly (@NAofPakistan) January 12, 2026
Sadiq announced that the process could now begin as Ayub had withdrawn his petitions. He asked the opposition to submit nominations with members’ signatures by 3pm on Tuesday, in line with Rule 39. The candidate with the highest numerical support will be declared opposition leader.
Opposition leader Malik Amir Dogar said they had already submitted Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s name with 76 signatures and urged immediate notification.
Meanwhile, the ruling PML-N faced embarrassment on the opening day of the new NA session when its key ally, the PPP, staged a walkout to protest the government’s alleged move to issue an ordinance without President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent.
The issue was raised by PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar on a point of order. He alleged that, for the first time in Pakistan’s legislative history, an ordinance had been promulgated without the president’s approval or signature, calling it unconstitutional and shameful. He added that such a practice had not been seen even during military regimes.
The law minister said that the PML-N had a great respect for President Zardari.
— National Assembly (@NAofPakistan) January 12, 2026
