LAHORE; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has moved a step closer to finalising a new opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, following the disqualification of former leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar in connection with the May 9 violence cases.
According to party sources, PTI’s political committee has forwarded five names to the party founder Imran Khan for approval. These include Moin Riaz Qureshi, Ali Imtiaz Warraich, Ejaz Shafi, Sheikh Imtiaz, and Rana Shahbaz.
Imran Khan, who remains the final authority on the matter, will announce the new opposition leader ahead of the assembly’s next session.
The position fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-notified Bhachar, who was convicted by an Anti-Terrorism Court for his alleged role in the May 9 riots. The disqualification automatically stripped him of his assembly membership and opposition leader status.
Party insiders suggest that Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi is emerging as the frontrunner, enjoying backing from the parliamentary party and several PTI MPAs. He also has the support of former opposition leader Bhachar, which strengthens his position.
The political committee, entrusted by the parliamentary party to oversee the nomination process, is expected to hold further consultations with senior leaders before Imran Khan finalises the decision.
Sources emphasised that the announcement must be made before the assembly’s upcoming session to ensure PTI retains its influence as the largest opposition bloc in the house.
