PTI–Achakzai Alliance Faces Strain Over NA Leadership Picks

Following the disqualification of PTI’s original opposition leaders in the National Assembly (Omar Ayub Khan) and Senate (Shibli Faraz), PTI founder Imran Khan nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai (chairman of PkMAP) as the new NA opposition leader, and Azam Swati for the Senate.
This decision sparked unrest within PTI ranks. Many party members felt the role should have gone to a PTI lawmaker, not an external ally, particularly as PTI continues to seek restoration of Ayub and Faraz via legal channels.
As a result, PTI’s political committee placed these nominations on hold pending court decisions about the original leaders:
“No new nominations will be made until the appeals of Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz being decided.

The growing discontent reflects deeper issues within the opposition bloc, known as the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP). Analysts note friction due to conflicting regional interests (e.g., KP constituency overlaps between PTI and JUI-F) and PTI’s leadership style, often characterized by centralization around Imran Khan, undermining broader coalition cohesion.

Issue	Details
Nomination Context	Achakzai & Swati proposed following disqualification of Ayub and Faraz
Internal Discontent	PTI members expect leadership to come from within PTI
Official Delay	Nominations paused until legal outcomes for Ayub & Faraz
Alliance Cohesion Risks	Centralized decision-making and electoral rivalries threaten unity