The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is poised to become the largest party in the National Assembly following a Supreme Court judgement declaring it eligible for reserved seats. This ruling, which reallocates 22 reserved seats to PTI, boosts its total representation to 114 members. The decision significantly impacts the current ruling coalition, reducing its strength and leaving it short of the two-thirds majority needed in the 336-member House.
Medical sources reported that at least five Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting displaced persons in the southern Gaza Strip. The attack occurred in the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, where tents housing displaced people were bombed. The injured were transported to the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Rafah.
Supreme Court’s Game-Changing Verdict
The ruling coalition’s hold on power has been weakened. Their total strength now stands at 209, below the 224 seats required for a supermajority. This development comes after the Supreme Court suspended a Peshawar High Court judgement that had previously deprived PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidates of reserved seats. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had initially allocated these seats to three different parties.
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The strength of the opposition in the National Assembly is now bolstered by 125 members. This includes eight prominent PTI leaders who did not join the SIC, such as PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar and Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan. The coalition’s reduced majority is compounded by the suspension of 77 lawmakers from various parties, including 44 from the PML-N.
Redistribution and Legal Outcomes
The redistribution of seats follows a detailed review by the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and other senior judges declared the ECP’s earlier decision to allocate reserved seats as unconstitutional. The verdict mandates that PTI be recognized as a parliamentary party entitled to these seats, reinforcing the principles of proportional representation enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution.
Among the suspended members were 22 from the National Assembly and others from provincial assemblies, including KP, Punjab, and Sindh. This suspension impacts the ruling coalition’s numerical advantage and opens the door for PTI to assert greater influence in legislative processes. The court emphasized that the lack of an election symbol should not affect a party’s constitutional rights.
Political Repercussions and Future Prospects
This verdict marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s political landscape. Senior PTI leaders hailed the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. The judgement not only restores PTI’s status but also sets a precedent for future electoral disputes. Legal experts have praised the ruling as a step towards ensuring fairness and upholding democratic norms.
Celebrations erupted outside the Supreme Court, with PTI supporters chanting slogans in support of their party and its leadership. The judgement is seen as a critical step in addressing long-standing grievances and rectifying what PTI leaders termed as “injustices.”
The ruling has broader implications for the political dynamics in Pakistan, potentially reshaping alliances and power structures within the National Assembly. With the opposition now strengthened, the ruling coalition will face increased scrutiny and challenges in pushing through its legislative agenda.