ISLAMABAD — Following the recent appointment of opposition leaders in both houses, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is reportedly reconsidering its boycott of parliamentary standing committees. However, party insiders and analysts suggest that any formal return remains tethered to a “final nod” from incarcerated founder Imran Khan, likely after the party’s planned countrywide protest on February 8, 2026.
The Push for Re-entry
A growing majority within PTI’s legislative wing believes that withdrawing from these committees in August 2025 was a tactical error.
- Scrutiny Vacuum: By vacating chairs, PTI ceded crucial ground to the ruling coalition, allowing government policy to proceed without formal opposition oversight.
- The “PAC” Prize: Party leaders are particularly keen to reclaim the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a powerful forum traditionally used to hold the government’s financial dealings accountable.
- Privilege Protections: Legislators noted that without presence in Privilege Committees, they have no parliamentary recourse when members are allegedly “maltreated or manhandled” by law enforcement.
One Nation
One Leader
One DemandFree Imran Khan, Pakistan’s legitimate Prime Minister. #FreeImranKhan pic.twitter.com/QE5p0V5lw1
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) January 28, 2026
Key Stances & Leadership Comments
The move to rejoin is currently caught in a web of internal deliberations and legal barriers:
| Leader | Position / Quote |
| Barrister Gohar Ali | Stated that the Parliamentary Committee will make the final call, but routine consultations with Imran Khan remain severed. |
| Aamir Dogar (Chief Whip) | Confirmed that all pending strategic decisions are linked to a meeting with Imran Khan in jail. |
| Mehmood Khan Achakzai | The newly appointed Leader of the Opposition has remained tight-lipped on the specific timeline for re-entry. |
| Ayaz Sadiq (NA Speaker) | Has reportedly advised PTI on multiple occasions to return, promising that the Secretariat would welcome the move to ensure democratic balance. |
Analysis: The “Imran Khan” Authority
Political observers, including Pildat chief Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, highlight an “ironic” parallel to PTI’s 2022 decision to quit the National Assembly. While many leaders recognize the need to return to play an effective parliamentary role, the party’s centralized power structure means no move will be made without Khan’s explicit permission.
“A lack of opposition representation in these committees negatively impacts the quality of parliamentary proceedings. However, Mr. Khan remains the final authority.” — Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Pildat
The 27th Amendment Context
The reluctance to rejoin committees also mirrors the party’s recent boycott of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). PTI leaders Barrister Gohar and Ali Zafar skipped meetings earlier this month, citing reservations over the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
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Upcoming Timeline
- Jan 26–29: President Zardari’s visit to the UAE; legislative activities are on a temporary lull.
- Feb 8, 2026: PTI’s scheduled countrywide protest; seen as the “litmus test” for the party’s next phase of parliamentary engagement.
- Post-Feb 8: Anticipated meeting between senior leadership and Imran Khan to finalize the return to standing committees.
