Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the National Assembly Opposition Leader, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Wednesday.

The announcement comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan earlier this months disqualified Opposition Leader in the NA Omar Ayub Khan and Opposition Leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz, along with other opposition MNAs and MPAs, following their convictions in May 9 cases. Both PTI opposition leaders were subsequently removed from their posts on Aug 8.

Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Raja said that Imran named Pash?tun??khwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Achakzai as Leader of the Opposition in the NA.

?Azam Khan Swati has been nominated as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Raja said, adding that Imran has asked for five names to decide the opposition leader of the Punjab Assembly.

?The PTI founder has entrusted the by-elections matter to the party?s political committee,? he said.

?A political committee meeting will be held later today, where a decision will be made in this regard.?

Last week, the Peshawar High Court PHC issued a stay order for the appointments of new opposition leaders in the NA and the Senate. The bench also issued notices to the ECP, seeking its response to two separate petitions field by Ayub and Faraz. The petitions challenged their disqualification and de-notification as MNA and Senator, respectively.

On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters, protesting Imran?s arrest, staged violent protests throughout the country, following which thousands were taken into custody.

PTI parliamentarians convicted in May 9 cases would face automatic disqualification under Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution, which bars members convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude or corrupt practices.

A Faisalabad anti-terrorism court on July 31 had senten?ced over 100 PTI leaders and workers to jail terms of up to 10 years in connection with the riots. Ayub, Faraz, PTI?s Zartaj Gul and Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza were among the key opposition leaders handed rigorous imprisonment.