Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, strongly criticised the government on Monday, raising concerns regarding the absence of lawmakers, the issuance of production orders, and the whereabouts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. "We have no desire to harass people.
You have dismantled the government of one province. Now tell us, where is the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and where have our members of the National Assembly disappeared?" Achakzai said while speaking on a point of order.
Achakzai claimed that several members of the National Assembly, including Junaid Akbar, Naseem Shah, Adil Bazai, and Uzair Khan, were missing. He asserted that even if a member had committed a serious crime, it remained the Speaker's responsibility to ensure the issuance of production orders.
He demanded that his party members be allowed to attend the session and be given an opportunity to speak, adding that no member should face arrest or disciplinary action for remarks made within the House. "If members are not given the opportunity to speak, what purpose does Parliament serve?" he asked.
Citing a historical precedent, he noted that even 600 years ago, a Speaker respected the request for members' presence. He warned, "You may pass whatever law you want, but you will have to face the consequences." Achakzai also demanded that Sanaullah Masti Khel, Kundi, and other members present be given the floor to express their grievances.
The opposition leader emphasized that the sanctity of the House must be maintained at all costs. He argued that the current political climate is creating unnecessary friction between the state institutions and the elected representatives.
He urged the government to adopt a more democratic approach, stating that the suppression of dissenting voices would only lead to further instability in the country. Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed three bills by majority vote after clause-by-clause consideration: the Archival Material (Preservation and Export Control) (Amendment) Bill, the Abandoned Properties (Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Centres of Excellence (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The legislative process continued despite the heated atmosphere in the chamber. Earlier in the day, proceedings remained suspended for approximately an hour due to a lack of quorum.
The delay in the start of the session further fueled the frustration of the opposition members, who were already protesting against the alleged abduction of their colleagues. The Speaker attempted to maintain order, but the session remained volatile throughout the afternoon.
Political analysts suggest that the demand for production orders is becoming a central point of contention in the current parliamentary session. With several key figures missing, the opposition feels that the government is intentionally weakening their strength in the House.
The government, however, maintains that the law is taking its course and that no one is being targeted for political reasons. As the session concluded, the opposition vowed to continue their protest until the whereabouts of the missing members are disclosed.
The political situation in the country remains tense, with both sides refusing to back down from their respective positions. The coming days are expected to be crucial as the National Assembly prepares for further debates on the legislative agenda.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has yet to issue a formal response regarding the production orders for the missing members. Observers are closely watching the situation to see if the government will address the concerns raised by the opposition or if the deadlock will continue to hinder the legislative process.
In conclusion, the parliamentary proceedings on Monday highlighted the deep-seated mistrust between the government and the opposition. The call for accountability and the protection of parliamentary privileges remains a top priority for the opposition, while the government continues to focus on its legislative agenda despite the ongoing political turmoil.
