The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has begun swift implementation of the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on reserved seats, which overturned the July 12 ruling and upheld the decision of the Peshawar High Court. According to sources, the Supreme Court’s written order has been received by the ECP, and its legal team has started a detailed review of the judgment.

Sources indicate that the ECP is expected to issue a formal notification for the reallocation of reserved seats by tomorrow. Once issued, the ruling coalition will regain its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The announcement will be based on a comprehensive report prepared by the ECP’s legal team.

The Supreme Court’s 13-member larger bench had accepted all review petitions regarding the allocation of reserved seats, declaring the July 12, 2024, verdict null and void. As a result, the Sunni Ittehad Council lost claim to all reserved seats, which are now being allocated to parties in the ruling coalition.

The judgment stated that all civil review petitions had been accepted, effectively disqualifying PTI from 22 reserved seats in the National Assembly and 55 in the provincial assemblies. Simultaneously, membership of 77 lawmakers has been restored.

No reserved seats for PTI as SC overturns July 12 decision

Detailed breakdown of seat restoration across assemblies

In the Punjab Assembly, 27 reserved seats for women and minorities have been reinstated. PML-N has secured 21 women’s seats and 2 minority seats, while the PPP, PML-Q, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party have been allotted one seat each.

In the Sindh Assembly, PPP has gained two seats and MQM-P has received one.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25 reserved seats have been restored. PML-N and JUI-F have each secured seven women’s seats, while the remaining seats have gone to PPP, ANP, and PTI Parliamentarians. Among minority seats, two have gone to PML-N and two to JUI-F.

At the national level, PML-N has gained 15 reserved seats, PPP has gained four, and JUI-F has secured three additional seats. Following the verdict, PML-N’s strength in the National Assembly has risen to 125, PPP’s to 74, and JUI-F’s to 11. The ruling coalition now holds a total of 233 seats, regaining its two-thirds majority.

KP government at risk after Supreme Court ruling on reserved seat

The ECP is expected to issue the official notification in the coming days, paving the way for long-delayed Senate elections to be held in the near future.