The political landscape in Pakistan’s National Assembly witnessed a dramatic shift as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced its resignation from all parliamentary committees, including the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The announcement was made by PTI leader and PAC member Sanaullah Masti Khel, who walked out of the committee meeting shortly after the declaration. Speaking to the media, Masti Khel explained that while some PTI members had already received official communication regarding the decision, others were still unaware. Nevertheless, the party had collectively resolved to withdraw from all standing and special committees of the National Assembly.
The resignation created a vacuum in the PAC’s leadership, as its chairman Junaid Akbar Khan was also absent from the session. In response, members of the committee moved swiftly to nominate Syed Naveed Qamar to preside over the day’s proceedings. Naveed Qamar formally assumed chairmanship for the ongoing session, ensuring the PAC’s work could continue uninterrupted.
However, PTI’s decision to boycott the PAC was evident, as none of its members attended the session following Masti Khel’s departure. The absence of PTI lawmakers underscored the deepening political divide in Parliament, with the party positioning itself in opposition not only to government policies but also to the internal workings of parliamentary oversight.
This move is being seen as part of PTI’s broader strategy to distance itself from the current legislative process and to exert political pressure on the government. Analysts suggest that by vacating its positions in crucial committees, PTI risks losing its institutional voice in matters of accountability, governance, and oversight. At the same time, the decision places greater responsibility on opposition and government-aligned parties to fill the leadership void left behind.
