ISLAMABAD (MNN) – Facing growing criticism over the prolonged delay in appointing the new opposition leader, the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat has written to PTI Chief Whip Malik Aamir Dogar, asking for updated details on the legal status of cases involving PTI leader Omar Ayub.
According to the letter, providing this information in writing is essential to complete the process for formally declaring the leader of the opposition in the lower house.
Omar Ayub, who served as the opposition leader in the Senate before being disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in August in connection with his conviction in the May 9 cases, had challenged his removal in the Supreme Court.
After Ayub’s disqualification, the PTI nominated Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the NA opposition leader’s post; however, his notification is still pending.
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has repeatedly said the delay stems from the matter being “sub judice,” referring to Ayub’s appeal against his disqualification. But the PTI leader has since withdrawn his plea from the Supreme Court.
The NA Secretariat’s letter to Dogar, dated December 5, noted that PTI members had stated on the floor of the house that Ayub’s cases were no longer sub judice. However, the letter said this information had not been formally communicated to the secretariat. It requested that the current status of the cases—particularly those in which the NA Secretariat is a party—be provided in writing so the process for declaring the opposition leader can be completed.
