The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has officially finalized the names for reserved seats in both the National Assembly and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly. This significant development follows a recent court ruling, and the list has been submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for official approval. The decision marks a pivotal moment for PTI and has implications for the political landscape in Pakistan.
The finalized list for reserved seats in the KP Assembly includes several prominent names. The list submitted after receiving approval from KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur features:
Mishal Yousafzai, Fauzia Bibi ,Ayesha Naseem, Uzma Riaz, Sajida Hanif, Gul Nasreen Ali, Fareeda Qureshi, Farzana Javed, Shakeela Rabbani, Faiza Mubashir, Humeira Nawaz, Saima Khalid, Khushboo ,Farzana Safeer, Harma Ibrahim, Naseem Naz, Asmat Ara Kakakhel, Mehrab, Nayab Khushal, Chand Bibi, Naureen Arif, Razia Nosheen Abbasi, Zahida Javed, Alia Nawab
For the National Assembly, the list includes:
Maliha Ali, Samira Shams, Nadia Ambreen, Momina Basit. Naina Arshad, Saba Bibi, Sajida Zulfiqar, Naila Marwat
The list for minority seats in the National Assembly comprises:
Lal Chand, Rajesh Kumar, Waqas Khokhar, Huqooq Rafiq, Chaudhry Amir
For the KP Assembly’s minority seats, the names are:
Wazirzada, Irfan Joseph, Rajesh Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Peter Neroz
The PTI’s move to finalize the reserved seats came on the heels of a significant court ruling. A 13-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, ruled in favor of PTI’s eligibility for the allocation of reserved seats. This decision overturned a previous order by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) that had upheld the ECP’s decision to deny these seats to PTI.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was delivered by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who announced an 8-5 majority verdict. The majority decision set aside the PHC’s ruling, which had been a considerable setback for PTI. This court ruling is seen as a major victory for PTI and a blow to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition.
In the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, along with Justices Jamal Mandokhail, Naeem Afghan, Yahya Afridi, and Ameenuddin Khan, opposed the majority decision. Their dissenting opinion reflects a significant judicial division on the matter, highlighting the contentious nature of the case and its implications for Pakistan’s political and legal landscape.
The finalization of these reserved seats by PTI, supported by the court ruling, could have substantial political repercussions. It not only impacts the composition of the National and KP Assemblies but also influences PTI’s standing and strategy in the upcoming political maneuvers. The allocation of reserved seats often plays a crucial role in shaping legislative priorities and power dynamics within the assemblies.
With the list of reserved seats now finalized and submitted to the ECP, the next steps involve formal approval and the seating of the appointed members. The ECP will review the submissions to ensure compliance with electoral laws and regulations. Once approved, these members will take their seats, and the legislative process will continue with their inclusion.
