PTI Suffers Parliamentary Leadership Loss Following ECP's Decision on Disqualification
Peshawar High Court Halts Appointment of New Opposition Leaders in Pakistan's National Assembly
Following the removal of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) figures, the appointment of new opposition leaders in Pakistan's National Assembly has been halted by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) as of August 12, 2025.
The decision comes after the disqualification and removal of National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan and Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz following convictions in cases related to violent protests and attacks in May 2023. Their disqualifications created vacancies in both opposition leader posts, with notifications issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on August 5-7, 2025.
However, the PHC intervened to halt the appointment of new opposition leaders, pending court decisions on the legality of the disqualifications. As a result, no new opposition leaders have officially taken over these roles in the National Assembly following the removal of PTI figures; the process is suspended by court order.
The ECP has de-notified PTI lawmakers following their convictions by a Faisalabad special anti-terrorism court in May 9 cases. This led to the removal of these lawmakers from their parliamentary positions, including Omar Ayub from the finance committee of the Public Accounts Committee, Zartaj Gul from the Standing Committee on Human Rights, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights.
In addition, the National Assembly removed Omar Ayub from the post of opposition leader, withdrew membership from 15 standing committees previously held by seven disqualified PTI lawmakers, and stripped Rai Hassan Nawaz of his position as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Railways.
The PTI-backed independents are now required to submit new nominations for the remaining vacant posts. Fresh consultations are underway between opposition members and the speaker for the selection of a new opposition leader. The outcome of these consultations and the court decisions on the legality of the disqualifications will determine when new opposition leaders will officially take office.
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- The halt in the appointment of new opposition leaders in Pakistan's National Assembly by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has also led to a disruption in the policy-and-legislation realm, particularly in finance-related matters, as the removed opposition leader, Omar Ayub Khan, was a key figure on the finance committee of the Public Accounts Committee.
- The ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan's National Assembly, following the removal of several Opposition leaders, has created a vacuum in the general-news discourse, with politics playing a significant role in shaping the country's future policies and legislations.
