Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has suffered a sharp setback in the National Assembly after three prominent parliamentary posts were vacated.

The move follows the disqualification of several PTI lawmakers, triggering a reshuffle in opposition leadership and committee assignments. 

According to parliamentary sources, Omar Ayub (sometimes spelled Umar Ayub) has been removed from the office of Leader of the Opposition. At the same time, Zartaj Gul’s role as parliamentary leader and Ahmad Chattha’s post as deputy parliamentary leader have been declared vacant. The party’s Opposition Leader chamber has also been taken back by the Assembly Secretariat. 

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These changes came after election and court bodies moved against several PTI MNAs, citing convictions and disqualification notices. The Election Commission and court rulings have already unseated some PTI lawmakers in cases linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest. Those rulings directly affected the party’s parliamentary strength and its right to hold certain posts. 

Parliamentary committee memberships held by PTI members were also rescinded. Reports say membership of seven disqualified PTI MNAs was cancelled across standing committees. In total, 15 committee seats tied to those seven lawmakers were revoked. This included leadership changes such as the removal of Sahibzada Hamid Raza from the Human Rights committee chairmanship. 

With these adjustments, PTI loses three posts in the lower house and faces the near-term task of renominating candidates. Party leaders now need to propose fresh names for parliamentary leader and deputy parliamentary leader slots. The Speaker will consult opposition ranks before issuing a new notification for Opposition Leader. 

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Separately, PTI’s Sheikh Waqas Akram is facing a challenge to his National Assembly membership. A motion moved by MNAs from other parties seeks to declare his seat vacant, and the matter was raised in the House amid worries over repeated absences. Local reports indicate the case is pending House action and could affect another PTI seat. 

The rapid sequence of legal decisions and parliamentary responses has left PTI scrambling. Analysts say the party must balance legal appeals with quick political fixes to preserve its assembly influence.