Islamabad( The COW News Digital)Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has postponed the appointment of opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, a move that underscores the party’s shifting political strategy as it navigates mounting legal and electoral challenges.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PTI spokesperson confirmed that the party’s political committee deferred the implementation of party founder Imran Khan’s nominations of Mehmood Khan Achakzai for the National Assembly and Azam Swati for the Senate. Until further notice, Umar Ayub will continue as opposition leader in the National Assembly and Shibli Faraz will retain his position in the Senate, both on the basis of interim court orders.
The committee also finalized candidates for upcoming by-elections, nominating Munazza Fatima from PP-87 and Ain Ahmed from NA-66. Decisions regarding other constituencies are expected in the coming weeks.
Party officials said the committee carefully reviewed the prevailing political environment in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that “ground realities differ significantly between the two provinces.” The statement also strongly condemned what it described as “tactics” against PTI leaders and activists, including the arrest of Aleema Khan’s sons, labeling it “a blatant example of fascism.”
During the meeting, Advocate Ali Bukhari briefed the committee following his visit to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. According to the spokesperson, the PTI founder reiterated his resolve to fight the “legal battle with full force” despite restrictions on meetings and consultations.
Khan reportedly reaffirmed his preference for Achakzai and Swati as future opposition leaders, stressing that their names were proposed as part of PTI’s forward-looking strategy, pending the lifting of restrictions that have limited political engagement with him.
Observers suggest that PTI’s decision to delay the appointments reflects both internal calculations and external pressures, as the party attempts to balance institutional constraints with Khan’s directives. The move comes at a sensitive time, with by-elections on the horizon and growing criticism over the government’s handling of opposition voices.
For now, PTI appears focused on electoral preparations while keeping its leadership choices in reserve, signaling that the party is unwilling to lock itself into a final opposition strategy until political and legal uncertainties become clearer.
