The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has taken a significant step by filing a review petition in the Supreme Court against a recent verdict that upheld the eligibility of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for reserved seats for minorities and women. This move follows a July 12 ruling that allowed the PTI to be considered for these seats, impacting the composition of the National Assembly and increasing pressure on the coalition alliance.
In its review petition, the PML-N has named 11 respondents, including the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and its chairman Hamid Raza. The party has requested the court to suspend its earlier ruling, arguing that the verdict did not address several critical points. These include concerns over whether the SIC should be entitled to reserved seats, given its failure to submit a party list within the stipulated timeframe, and whether candidates not filing nomination papers on time should qualify for such seats. The petition also questions whether a party that did not win any general seats can claim reserved seats and whether these seats must be allocated or can remain vacant.
Also Read: PMLN’s Atta Tarar Praises Nawaz Sharif for Leading Pakistan Out of Crisis
The controversy arose after PTI-backed independent candidates won a substantial number of seats in the February 8 elections and subsequently joined the SIC to seek reserved seats. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) initially denied the allocation of these seats, citing procedural issues and constitutional provisions regarding proportional representation. This decision was challenged in various courts, leading to the Supreme Court’s recent involvement and its decision to suspend earlier rulings pending further review.
The outcome of this legal battle will likely have profound implications for the political landscape in Pakistan, influencing the balance of power in the National Assembly and potentially affecting governance and legislative processes.
