ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Monday demanded of the government to immediately disclose the whereabouts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and others who have been missing since the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in the province on October 11.
Speaking in National Assembly, the PTI-backed opposition leader demanded the immediate production of Chief Minister Afridi, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Salim Swati and six PTI MNAs, whose whereabouts remain unknown since what he termed the October 11 “black day”.
As Achakzai took the floor, the National Assembly’s YouTube livestream appeared to blur, prompting PTI lawmakers to accuse the government of presiding over what they called a “Form 47 regime” that feared facing its critics.
Questioning the government’s failure to provide information about the chief minister’s whereabouts, Achakzai asked whether the authorities could even confirm that he was alive.
“We have repeatedly requested that we be told where the KP chief minister is. Is he even alive or not? Where are the PA speaker and the six PTI MNAs,” he asked. “Fine, you have picked him up, but at least tell us where he is.”
He also demanded production orders for the six MNAs, arguing that ensuring the presence of elected representatives in parliament was a right rather than a concession from the government.
“If someone is a member of parliament, obtaining his production order and defending him is your right, Mr Speaker,” he said.
Achakzai maintained that even if a parliamentarian had been detained, parliamentary privileges should be respected and arrangements made for the member’s appearance before the House.
Rejecting the government’s legislative agenda, he said the opposition would resist any legislation it considered contrary to democratic principles and the Constitution.
“Make whatever laws you want to make,” he said. “We want nothing from you. Keep one thing in mind: we will resist any legislation that goes against democratic norms and the Constitution.”
Referring to protests abroad, Achakzai cited recent demonstrations in France over inflation, claiming that millions had taken to the streets without being subjected to gunfire.
He contrasted what he described as the restraint shown by French authorities with the Pakistani government’s handling of political dissent, alleging that the latter had resorted to killings.
He also referred to expressions of support for the French protesters in Berlin, urging the authorities to learn from international protest movements and address public grievances without resorting to force.
Warning of possible unrest in Pakistan, Achakzai said the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in KP, where he said the provincial government had a two-thirds majority, raised serious constitutional concerns.
He cautioned that continued measures he considered unconstitutional could eventually drive people onto the streets.
Concluding his remarks, Achakzai reiterated the opposition’s demands for constitutional supremacy, parliamentary sovereignty and genuine democratic elections.
“The supremacy of the Constitution, parliament as the source of power, and genuine democratic elections are our demands,” he said. “We don’t want any development schemes from you.”
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected reports that the party’s core committee wanted Achakzai to step down as opposition leader in National Assembly, making it clear that no one could challenge party’s founding chairman Imran Khan’s decisions.
“Imran Khan appointed Achakzai as the opposition leader and he will remain our opposition leader. No one can defy Khan’s decisions,” he declared.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026