Imran Khan's Strategic Nominations Amid Political Upheaval

In a significant political development, incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has made key nominations for opposition leadership roles amid ongoing turmoil in Pakistan's political landscape. Khan has put forward Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the position of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, while nominating Azam Khan Swati for the Senate role, as reported by Dawn.

This decision comes in the wake of the Election Commission of Pakistan's disqualification of PTI's Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz from their respective opposition leadership roles, following their convictions linked to the events of May 9, 2023. The disqualifications prompted the removal of these leaders on August 8. May 9 marked a pivotal moment with Imran Khan's arrest on corruption charges, triggering protests by his supporters blaming the military for his detention.

Addressing the media outside the Supreme Court, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja revealed that Imran Khan has entrusted Achakzai, leader of the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, with the crucial role of replacing Ayub. Raja highlighted that the party's political committee would handle by-elections for the vacated seats following the lawmakers' recent convictions. This comes as the Peshawar High Court has issued a stay order against new opposition leader appointments and sought ECP's response to the disqualification challenges posed by Ayub and Faraz.

(With inputs from agencies.)