ISLAMABAD: A clear rift has emerged in the political harmony between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
According to a private TV channel (ARY), differences have intensified over the issue of the opposition leader in the National Assembly, after which Mahmood Achakzai left for Balochistan in anger. According to details, the dispute arose when the PTI leadership decided to retain Omar Ayub as the opposition leader in the National Assembly under a stay order. The party expected Mahmood Achakzai to thank the founder of PTI in front of the media and not accept the post of opposition leader as long as the stay order is in effect.
According to sources, Mahmood Khan Achakzai rejected the proposal and expressed his deep displeasure and said, “You people do not want me to become the opposition leader.” After that, he left Islamabad and left for Balochistan. Reliable sources say that there are differences within the ranks of PTI itself over Imran Khan’s decision to nominate Mahmood Achakzai as the opposition leader. Some leaders have raised objections not only to Mahmood Achakzai but also to the nomination of Azam Swati as the opposition leader in the Senate.
Some members of the parliamentary committee are of the opinion that there are many qualified and talented leaders in the party to shoulder the responsibility of the opposition leader, while a faction is calling the PTI’s decision final and uncriticizable. When contacted, Mahmood Khan Achakzai has refused to comment on the matter, which further highlights the sensitivity and seriousness of the matter. According to observers, these differences could not only harm the opposition’s unified strategy but could also be a precursor to a new alignment on the opposition benches in the near future.
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