The ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered a major setback to the ruling coalition, paving the way for Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to emerge as the single largest party. The Supreme Court has declared PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities, a decision that has sparked celebrations among PTI supporters.
The ruling was issued by a 13-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa. The court had reserved its verdict after hearing an appeal from the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). The PTI has been instructed to submit its list of reserved seats within 15 days, positioning the party to become the largest in the Pakistani Parliament.
Impact on Pakistan’s Legislative Future
This decision follows a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council in March, which demanded the reallocation of 77 seats for women and minorities initially allocated to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition after the February 8 general elections. Both the Peshawar High Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan had previously rejected the council’s appeal, deeming it ineligible for these reserved seats.
In April, the council took its case to the Supreme Court, with party chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza leading the charge. The petition sought to overturn the decisions of the High Court and the Election Commission. On May 6, the Supreme Court annulled these previous rulings, effectively depriving the SIC of the reserved seats.
For PTI, this ruling is a validation of its continued influence and a testament to its strategic maneuvering within the political system. The party, led by Imran Khan, has been a formidable force in Pakistani politics, advocating for transparency, accountability, and a departure from traditional political practices. The Supreme Court’s decision to allocate the reserved seats to PTI aligns with the party’s ongoing efforts to challenge the status quo and reshape the nation’s political framework.
The mood among PTI supporters is jubilant, with celebrations erupting in various parts of the country. Party workers and supporters have hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling as a victory for justice and democracy. Imran Khan, known for his charismatic leadership and populist appeal, is expected to leverage this momentum to further galvanize his base and strengthen PTI’s position ahead of future elections.
On the other hand, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faces a significant setback. The reallocation of the reserved seats undermines the coalition’s majority in Parliament and poses challenges for its legislative agenda. The ruling coalition, which comprises various political parties, will now have to navigate a more complex and potentially contentious parliamentary environment, with PTI emerging as a dominant force.
The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the critical role of the judiciary in Pakistan’s political landscape. Judicial interventions, such as this one, have the power to reshape political alliances and alter the course of the nation’s governance. As Pakistan moves forward, the interplay between the judiciary, the executive, and the legislative branches will continue to shape the country’s democratic trajectory.
