IT was a long time coming. On Friday, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq formally declared veteran politician Mehmood Khan Achakzai as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. Regardless of how long the appointment was delayed by that point, it reflects positively on both the government and the opposition that it was finally done.

Just about a month and a half ago, Mr Sadiq had curtly interrupted PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan when the latter referred to Mr Achakzai as “the opposition leader” during a heated debate in the House over remarks made by Mr Achakzai that Mr Sadiq had taken umbrage to. “I do not recognise him in that capacity,”

Mr Sadiq was reported to have shot back, reminding the House that though Mr Achakzai may be the opposition’s joint nominee, he still needed the Speaker’s blessing to be recognised as such. Clearly, much has changed since then. And, it seems, for the better.

Mr Achakzai, chief of the ambitiously named Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan and the PkMAP political party, is an old hand in Pakistani politics. He has a long and storied history of uniting pro-democracy forces, and was previously allied with both Nawaz Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto in their respective struggles for democracy in Pakistan. It was, no doubt, quite a surprise when jailed former prime minister Imran Khan ‘nominated’ him as opposition leader on behalf of his party.

The PTI often comes across as a party that regards no one as even equal to, let alone better than, its own leaders. That Mr Khan still chose to place and reiterate, on multiple occasions, his trust in Mr Achakzai is a testament to a view of Mr Achakzai’s politics as unimpeachable. It also reflects an admission that none of Mr Khan’s lieutenants were considered capable of the kind of principled oppositional politics Mr Achakzai is known for.

Regardless, this is a positive development in Pakistani politics, and it is hoped that wisdom will continue to prevail. Mr Achakzai is known for taking a more traditional approach to politics. He understands the need for negotiations, as reflected in recent moves by the TTAP to restart dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Of late, he has been vocal in defending the Constitution, demanding the release of political prisoners and criticising undemocratic practices. His political oeuvre indicates that his politics are consistent and non-opportunistic. He has hardly been known to compromise on his core principles even under pressure.

It is a relief that the mantle has passed to a leader of his calibre. It is hoped that he can break the political deadlock. Respected on both sides of the aisle, he may be one of the few who can still make it happen.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2026