ISLAMABAD (MNN); In his first address after assuming office as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Monday vowed full and unconditional support for strengthening the lower house of parliament.
Addressing the House in a speech lasting nearly 30 minutes, parts of which were muted during the National Assembly’s live broadcast, Achakzai said the National Assembly must remain the centre of all national policymaking.
He said TTAP made a clear promise to the nation that any effort aimed at strengthening parliament would receive its complete support, adding that without a strong National Assembly, the democratic system could not function.
Calling for political maturity, Achakzai said mistakes happened everywhere, but animosity and abusive politics would not help resolve issues. He urged lawmakers to reflect, engage in dialogue and move forward collectively.
Quoting the Holy Quran, he said initiatives related to public welfare deserved unanimous backing, asserting that his party would support every step taken in the interest of the people.
Achakzai stressed that domestic and foreign policies should originate from parliament and urged members to treat each other with respect inside and outside the House, advising them to avoid language they would not use in front of their families.
He rejected allegations of political compromise, stating that he had never sold his vote nor violated the oath he had taken.
Thanking PTI founder Imran Khan and the party for nominating him as opposition leader, Achakzai also expressed gratitude to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for appointing him, despite what he termed an unnecessary delay.
He said it was wrong for the House to function for five months without an opposition leader and added that the opposition benches represented the true mandate that elected him.
Referring to the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, he said they should have been used to empower parliament, adding that it was still not too late to correct the course.
He proposed passing resolutions to withdraw cases against political workers, particularly elderly women in jail, and said that a unanimous call by the House for the release of Imran Khan could ease political tensions in the country.
He added that at the very least, restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan should be lifted, reiterating the opposition’s readiness to cooperate on any positive development.
Achakzai said the events of February 8, 2024 had intensified political polarisation, adding that lowering political pressure could pave the way for dialogue.
Referring to Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, nominated as opposition leader in the Senate, Achakzai said cooperation would continue on positive steps but not on negative actions.
