Mahmood Khan Achakzai

Early life and education

Achakzai was born on 14 December 1948 to Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai. He received BSc degree in 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 Milli Awami Party following the assassination of his father Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai in a bomb attack in Quetta in 1973. He 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 Pakistani general election, 1993 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 Pakistani general election, 1997.

Achakzai was re-elected as a member of National Assembly of Pakistan in Pakistani general election, 2002 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 Pakistani general election, 2008 to deny the legitimacy of then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Although he boycotted the polls but 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 Pakistani general election, 2013 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 Pakistani general election, 2013. Achakzai was supported by Pakistan Muslim League (N) in Quetta constituency. Achakzai won the NA-259 Quetta.