Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has refused to step down amid reports that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) high-echelon committee called for his resignation during a marathon meeting late Saturday. "I will resign if the demand comes from the Adiala jail," Achakzai told close associates after a meeting of the Movement for the Restoration of Constitution in Islamabad late Sunday evening, referring to Imran Khan, who had nominated him as the Leader of the Opposition.

Well-placed sources told that he was appointed Leader of the Opposition by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq after a great struggle pertaining to his credentials. He didn't take part in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister's long march that culminated in the removal of his government last week, bringing the curtains down on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s 13-year rule in the province.

The sources pointed out that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) independent members of the National Assembly were sharply divided on the question of taking out the long march and its destination. They also disputed the purpose of the exercise.

Now the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee is considering tabling a no-trust move against Achakzai for failing the long march and asking for his removal from the office. Parliamentary sources told this reporter that no provision is available in the Rules of Business of Parliament for moving a no-confidence motion against the Leader of the Opposition.

However, the National Assembly speaker could remove him after ascertaining the views of majority members siding with the opposition. Achakzai faced severe criticism in the joint sitting of parliament last week when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi questioned his victory in the February 2024 election as an MNA.

The sources said Achakzai had been asking his critics to bring forward a consensus name for the Leader of the Opposition. The sources pointed out that Achakzai definitely knows that the opposition members couldn't agree on one name for his substitute.

That is why he doesn't feel any threat.