ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Secretariat has responded to MNA Amir Dogar’s letter on the appointment of the opposition leader, stating that no proposal or recommendation can be considered until the Speaker formally announces the schedule.
According to a spokesperson, the response references Rules 39 and 39-B of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, which provide the complete process for submitting nominations and declaring the leader of the opposition.
Under Rule 39(2), the speaker is responsible for announcing the date, time, and venue where members of the National Assembly can submit duly signed proposals. The spokesperson added that parliamentary tradition requires the announcement to be made on the floor of the House, ensuring all members have equal opportunity to propose a candidate.
Since the speaker has not yet made this announcement, no request or proposal can be entertained at this stage. The Secretariat will only proceed after the official declaration is made in line with the Rules of Procedure.
The response also references the recent Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan order dated October 29, 2025, in Omer Ayub’s plea. The court set aside the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) earlier adjournment of writ petitions sine die and directed the high court to determine their maintainability and dispose of them accordingly.
The spokesperson confirmed that the matter concerning the disqualification of former opposition leader Omar Ayub is still sub judice before the PHC, and any appointment process for the leader of the opposition will be conducted only after legal clarity and the speaker’s formal announcement.
