Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have gained momentum once again after the Peshawar High Court’s ruling, with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announcing a session to administer oaths to assembly members in compliance with the court’s directive.

Following the Peshawar High Court’s decision, political activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has intensified, with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announcing that a session has been convened to administer the oath to assembly members in accordance with the court’s directive.

Speaking to the media, Governor Kundi said, “We are trying to ensure that all assembly members are sworn in today or by tomorrow, so that no further obstacles remain in the way of holding Senate elections.” He added that the government is serious about completing the oath-taking process by tomorrow to ensure timely Senate polls.

Commenting on the current situation, Governor Kundi stated, “Refusal to take the oath is a clear violation of democratic norms.” He stressed that the government must take measures to prevent undemocratic practices like horse-trading.

Referring to past efforts, he said, “In 2008, uncontested elections were held to prevent horse-trading. Similar wisdom is needed today.”

When asked about resistance from within the political ranks, Kundi responded sarcastically, “When their own candidates are not accepting the court’s decision, what obedience can you expect from regular MPAs?”

He further said that if the elections are contested, the aim will be to secure six seats instead of five, in order to strengthen the opposition’s presence in the upper house.

It is worth noting that the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court has nominated the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to administer the oath to members elected on reserved seats.

Earlier, the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court has appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to administer the oath to lawmakers elected on reserved seats, following a petition filed by opposition parties demanding the appointment of an official for the swearing-in.

The petition, submitted by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other opposition factions to the High Court’s registrar, challenged the delay in administering oaths to reserved seat members of the provincial assembly.

PPP’s Additional Secretary General Abrar Saeed termed the delay a violation of constitutional and democratic rights, arguing that elected members were being denied participation in the legislative process.

The opposition requested the court to nominate an authority to conduct the oath-taking, citing that the ongoing refusal was against parliamentary norms. Responding to the plea, the Chief Justice designated Governor Kundi to carry out the process.

Meanwhile, efforts to hold the swearing-in ceremony during a KP Assembly session on Saturday were once again derailed. The sitting, scheduled for 9:00am, was delayed by nearly two and a half hours and was immediately rendered ineffective due to a lack of quorum.

Sources revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the session and intentionally flagged the quorum issue to block the oath-taking. The party’s parliamentary wing had earlier announced it would not attend the sitting, resulting in empty government benches and the collapse of the session.

Opposition lawmakers reacted with strong protest, chanting slogans and assembling before the speaker’s dais, demanding that the oath be administered without further delay.

With the session adjourned until July 24 at 2:00pm and the deadlock unresolved, the fate of the upcoming Senate elections has become increasingly uncertain, pushing the province deeper into a political crisis.