Mahmood Khan Achakzai

Early life and education

Achakzai was born on 14 December 1948 to Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai. He received BSc degree in Civil Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar in 1971.

Political career

Achakzai is a Pashtun nationalist who was elected as the chairman of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) following the assassination of his father Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai in a bomb attack in Quetta in 1973. PNAP and the Pakhtunkhwa Mazdoor Kisan Party (PMKP) of Sher Ali Bacha reached an agreement in 1986. As a result of this settlement, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) was created in March 1989 at a meeting in Quetta. Bacha was elected as the General Secretary of PMAP while Mahmood Khan Achakzai was the chairman.

Achakzai was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan in a by election. Achakzai was elected as a member of National Assembly of Pakistan in the 1993 Pakistani general election from Quetta constituency. Reportedly, he had won his first election with the support of Pakistan Muslim League (N). Achakzai lost the National Assembly seat in the 1997 Pakistani general election.

Achakzai was re-elected as a member of National Assembly of Pakistan in the 2002 Pakistani general election from the NA- 262 constituency however lost in the NA-259 (Quetta) constituency. In 2007, Achakzai parted ways with his ally PML-N and formed an alliance with the Awami National Party. In 2008, he formed an alliance with All Parties Democratic Movement and boycotted 2008 Pakistani general election to deny the legitimacy of then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Although he boycotted the polls, he remained active in the politics.

In February 2013, it was reported that Achakzai is being considered for the post of caretaker prime minister of Pakistan prior to the 2013 Pakistani general election, but he refused to become the caretaker prime minister due to reason that he intended to contest the upcoming general elections.

Achakzai ran for seat of National Assembly from two constituencies, NA-259-Quetta and NA-262-Qilla Abdullah, in the 2013 Pakistani general election.

From 11 to 14 March 2022, he was part of the Pashtun National Jirga, which was held in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to discuss the critical issues faced by the Pashtuns in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the 2024 Pakistani general elections, Achakzai contested and won the NA-266 seat, making it the only seat the PKMAP managed to secure in the election season. Achakzai also contested for the 2024 Pakistani presidential elections. His candidacy was backed by the SIC. He lost to Asif Ali Zardari, who secured 411 electoral votes compared to Achakzai's 181 votes.

References

References

1. (19 April 2014). "Detail Information".
2. "Pakistan’s National Assembly appoints Mahmood Achakzai as opposition leader after months of delay".
3. (1 May 2013). "Mehmood Khan Achakzai". DAWN.COM.
4. (21 December 2008). "The dissenting voice". The News.
5. (December 2, 2015). "In the memory of: PkMAP founding leader remembered".
6. (1 May 2013). "Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party". DAWN.COM.
7. (11 April 2013). "Removal of Mengal govt was a mistake: Shahbaz". DAWN.COM.
8. (6 October 2002). "DAWN – Features; October 6, 2002". DAWN.COM.
9. (20 November 2002). "Achakzai wins NA seat". DAWN.COM.
10. (14 February 2008). "APDM blamed for lacklustre Balochistan campaigns". DAWN.COM.
11. (26 July 2007). "ANP and PkMAP form alliance". DAWN.COM.
12. (15 December 2007). "Poll results won’t be accepted: Achakzai". DAWN.COM.
13. (16 May 2008). "PROVINCIAL OVERVIEWS – Balochistan: The nationalists strike back -DAWN – Herald Election 2008;". Dawn.
14. (16 September 2012). "Post of caretaker prime minister: Achakzai also turns down PML-N offer". DAWN.COM.
15. (18 February 2013). "Achakzai’s presence at Presidency lunch noted with interest". DAWN.COM.
16. (18 March 2013). "Selection of caretaker PM: Parties against handing over task to ECP". DAWN.COM.
17. (29 March 2013). "Parties award tickets for NA, PA seats in Balochistan". DAWN.COM.
18. "PMAP, Jamaat unfold candidates for elections". The Nation.
19. (12 May 2013). "Mahmood Achakzai wins from NA-259 Quetta". DAWN.COM.
20. (March 12, 2022). "Nationalist parties convene jirga on Pakhtun issues".
21. "NA-266 Election Result 2024 Kila Abdullah-cum-Chaman, Candidates List".
22. "‘Artful dodger’ Asif Ali Zardari wins second term as Pakistan’s president".