Opposition leaders on Thursday criticised the government over stalled talks and restrictions on parliamentarians, calling for dialogue and protection of elected representatives’ rights.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas addressed a joint press conference outside Parliament House in Islamabad.
What the opposition said about the stalled talks
Gohar said the opposition had repeatedly engaged in negotiations with the government in good faith and without preconditions, but the process had failed to produce results.
“Our government went away while we kept negotiating with the government,” he said, referring to the opposition’s attempts to pursue political dialogue.
He questioned the criteria used to judge political leaders’ loyalty to the state, saying that after nearly three years of the current parliament, he still did not understand the formula. “We have always said that Pakistan comes first and the state comes first,” he said, adding: “We are treated as though we are not loyal to the state. This perception must end.”
Gohar called for parliamentarians to be protected so they could represent their constituents freely and without fear, recalling an incident in September 2024 when opposition lawmakers were allegedly picked up.
Achakzai demands full recording of parliamentary speeches
Achakzai stressed that parliamentary speeches should be recorded in their entirety, calling the official record essential to preserving the country’s political history. “Recording the complete speech of a member speaking in the National Assembly is a constitutional requirement,” he said.
He said parliamentarians had to struggle even for rights that should ordinarily be guaranteed under parliamentary rules. Referring to his speech a day earlier, he said he had made no inappropriate remarks and alleged his four-and-a-half-minute speech had been presented as nine minutes. He rejected suggestions that his remarks had been directed against the country.
He said opposition lawmakers’ speaking time had been curtailed and questioned the inconsistent issuance of production orders. He asked how the opposition could trust a process that, in his view, those in power had ridiculed.
Political dialogue required a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, he said, recalling that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had met the prime minister in connection with the issue. The opposition had asked the government to ensure that the prime minister personally extended an invitation for negotiations. “Negotiations cannot take place in an atmosphere where the process itself is being mocked,” he said.
Achakzai also called for a committee to investigate corruption allegations against the incumbent government, proposing that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif head it. He maintained that the opposition would resist what it considered an undemocratic system through democratic means. “We will not hand Pakistan over to an undemocratic system,” he warned.
Rule of law and PTI unity
Raja Nasir Abbas stressed that the rule of law, justice and respect for the Constitution were essential for Pakistan’s progress, warning that the trust deficit between rulers and the people had reached its highest level in the country’s history. He criticised the continued registration of fabricated cases and FIRs, and alleged that the people’s mandate had been stolen in the February 8, 2024 general elections.
Gohar denied reports of internal PTI differences, describing the party’s K-P lawmakers as a valuable asset standing firmly with Imran Khan. He confirmed Junaid Akbar would continue as provincial president and reaffirmed Sohail Afridi as the party’s choice for chief minister.
The press conference follows weeks of tension over the K-P political situation. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in K-P on October 11 on the prime minister’s advice, invoking Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. Achakzai has previously said the opposition will hold no talks without consulting Imran Khan, PTI has warned it will quit assemblies if governor’s rule is imposed, while the federal government maintains the K-P emergency has nothing to do with the PTI long march.
Frequently asked questions
Who addressed the opposition press conference?
Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and MWM chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas spoke to the media outside Parliament House on October 22, 2026.
What did the opposition demand?
They called for meaningful dialogue with the government, protection of parliamentarians’ rights, complete recording of National Assembly speeches, consistent production orders, and a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan as part of political negotiations.
What did Gohar say about PTI’s internal affairs?
He denied internal differences, said K-P lawmakers stood firmly with Imran Khan, confirmed Junaid Akbar would continue as provincial president, and reaffirmed Sohail Afridi as the party’s choice for chief minister.
