PESHAWAR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, is unlikely to attend Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) upcoming public rally in Mardan, following reports of grievances over a lack of consultation by the party leadership.
According to PTI sources, Achakzai is reportedly displeased with the party’s top brass for not being taken into confidence regarding the event. The friction stems from a perceived overlap in authority; while PTI founder Imran Khan had previously entrusted Achakzai with the mandate to lead the party’s protest movement and rallies, the date and planning for the Mardan power show were finalized independently by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Sources further revealed that senior PTI leader Atif Khan contacted Achakzai to invite him to the rally, but the veteran politician did not express a willingness to participate.
Responding to the reports, Provincial Minister Meena Khan downplayed the friction, stating that all party matters would ultimately be handled in consultation with Achakzai. He maintained that the directives for the Mardan rally came directly from Imran Khan himself.
The absence of the opposition leader from a major PTI power show could signal growing coordination challenges within the newly formed political alliance.
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