In a significant development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party eligible for the seats reserved for women and minorities, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition. The decision, announced by a 13-member bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, came after the court reserved its decision following a set of appeals by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
The case dates back to March when the SIC petitioned for the reallocation of 77 reserved seats for women and minorities, which were originally allotted to PM Shehbaz’s ruling coalition after the February 8 general elections. Both the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) previously rejected the council’s appeal, leading them to file a petition before the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, the apex court suspended the previous rulings and decided to reconstitute a larger bench to hear the case. In a majority decision, the Supreme Court annulled the decisions of both the PHC and the ECP, terming the latter’s decision “against the Constitution of Pakistan”. The verdict resulted in the suspension of victory notifications for 77 members of the national and provincial assemblies, causing a significant decrease in the ruling coalition’s numerical strength in the lower house of Parliament.
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Following the decision, PTI members celebrated the verdict, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and accusing the ECP of malafide intent. The ruling has put the ruling coalition at a disadvantage in the Parliament, potentially impacting its legislative agenda. The controversy surrounding the allocation of reserved seats and its far-reaching impact on future allotments was also raised during a full court meeting, highlighting the case’s significance.
As the dust settles on this legal battle, the decision will likely have lasting implications on the allocation of reserved seats among political parties in the legislature. The aftermath of the ruling and the political repercussions may reshape the political landscape in Pakistan.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing political tussle and underscores the judiciary’s crucial role in ensuring fair political representation.
