Mahmood Khan Achakzai has refused to resign as leader of the opposition in Pakistan’s National Assembly despite an alleged demand from a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) committee during a late-night meeting on Saturday. According to sources, Achakzai has made it clear that he will leave the position only if PTI founder Imran Khan personally asks him to step down.
Sources said the PTI committee discussed asking Achakzai to resign during a meeting that continued until midnight. However, speaking to close associates after a Sunday meeting of his Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP) group, Achakzai reportedly maintained that he would vacate the office only on the instructions of the person who nominated him for the role. Imran Khan is currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Achakzai heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and became leader of the opposition in January 2026 after National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq approved his appointment. Imran Khan had nominated him for the position despite PTI’s absence from the National Assembly as a parliamentary party. His appointment followed a prolonged dispute over his credentials and eligibility, which was eventually resolved in his favour by the speaker.
The latest disagreement comes amid reported differences within opposition ranks over political strategy and the direction of the movement against the government. Achakzai did not participate in the long march led by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister the previous week. According to the report, the political developments surrounding the march were followed by the removal of the PTI-led provincial government after 13 years in power.
Sources also reported that PTI-backed independent members of the National Assembly had significant disagreements over whether the march should take place and what its ultimate destination should be. These differences point to competing views within the wider opposition camp about political demands, mobilisation and the approach to challenging the government.
Achakzai’s reported refusal to resign could lead to further discussions between him and sections of the PTI leadership over the future of the opposition’s parliamentary position. His stated stance, as reported by sources, is that his authority to hold the office comes from Imran Khan’s nomination. It remains unclear whether Khan will intervene directly or whether the PTI leadership will continue discussions with Achakzai.
