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Big win for PTI as Supreme Court rules in favour of SIC in reserved seats case

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Justice has been served.

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The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday declared Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party eligible for seats reserved for women and minorities, dealing a major setback to PM Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition.

The verdict was announced by a 13-member bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. A day ago, the court had reserved its decision on the matter after closing the hearing on a set of appeals moved by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

In March, the SIC had filed a petition demanding that 77 seats for women and minorities, which were originally allotted to PM Shehbaz’s ruling coalition after the February 8 general elections, be reallocated to the alliance.

However, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) both rejected the council’s appeal in separate rulings, declaring it ineligible for the reserved seats.

In April, the SIC filed a petition before the SC — moved by party chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza — seeking to set aside the PHC judgment.

Subsequently, the apex court on May 6 suspended the March 14 PHC judgment as well as the March 1 ECP decision to deprive the SIC of seats reserved for women and minorities.

The SC had also ordered placing the present petitions before the three-judge committee that determines the constitution of the bench for the reconstitution of a larger bench when Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan highlighted that under Section 4 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, the present case should be heard by a larger bench since the issue concerns the interpretation of constitutional provisions.

The ECP subsequently suspended victory notifications of as many as 77 members of the national and provincial assemblies elected on those seats.

In Friday’s verdict, the top court annulled the decision of the PHC while also declaring the decision of the ECP null and void, terming it “against the Constitution of Pakistan”.

The decision, announced by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, was made based on a majority of eight judges.

The majority verdict was given by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.

SOURCE: https://www.dawn.com/news/1845359/b...rules-in-favour-of-sic-in-reserved-seats-case
 
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This decision proves that the judiciary is finally standing up for the people's will and against the corrupt tactics of the Sharif regime.

Decision is testament that nobody can silence the voice of PTI.
 
‘There is hope’: Lawyers react to SC ruling on PTI-SIC reserved seats

In what is being called a big win for Imran Khan and his party, the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday threw out the Peshawar High Court’s order denying reserved seats for women and non-Muslims to the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

The majority verdict was announced by a 13-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa — who was one of the five judges who dissented with the ruling — after marathon hearings. “The PTI is a political party and will remain one,” the top court remarked.

It added that depriving a political party of its electoral symbol does not push it out of elections. The SC also termed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to deny reserved seats to the SIC as null and void, terming it “against the Constitution of Pakistan”.

Earlier this year, the SIC was joined by PTI-backed independent candidates after they won the February 8 elections as their party had been deprived of its electoral symbol ‘bat’. In March, the ECP had declared that the SIC was not entitled to claim the quota for reserved seats and distributed them among other parliamentary parties.

Here is what lawyers had to say about today’s verdict:

‘Restoring confidence in judiciary’

Speaking to Dawn.com, lawyer Rida Hosain termed the order “a damning indictment of ECP’s conduct”.

“Eleven judges have held that the ECP incorrectly interpreted the bat symbol judgment and wrongfully deprived the PTI of its right to take part in elections. The majority reverses the disastrous consequences of the ECP’s decisions and ensures that the legislature reflects the people’s will,” she said.

Hosain pointed out that the court had effectively held that the PTI remained a political party, it secured general seats and the Constitution commanded that the party was entitled to reserved seats as per its proportional strength of general seats.

“Independent judges taking decisions without fear or favour gives citizens hope. The majority order will go a long way in restoring confidence in the judiciary,” the lawyer added.

‘Will of the people’

“The Supreme Court has found for the will of the people that elected representatives be allowed their rightful strength in the assembly,” remarked Barrister Asad Rahim.

He noted that the top court had gone some distance in repairing the damage of the “ludicrous” bat symbol judgment.

“It nonetheless must be said that the court pulled us out of a problem entirely of its own making. Had this unity of purpose and commitment to the Constitution been on display during the 90-day election judgment, the challenge to the bogus practice and procedure law, and the formation of benches that froze the military trials verdict as well as the Lahore High Court’s election tribunals, Pakistan would be in a much better place today,” he stated.

The people, Barrister Rahim continued, were entitled to live in a democracy. “They shouldn’t have to wait for the threat of constitutional amendments (that directly affect senior judges) to bring about such outcomes,” he added.

‘There is hope’

In a post on X, lawyer Salaar Khan remarked that the SC stood by the people of Pakistan, their Constitution and the right side of history today.

“There is hope, yet,” he added.

‘Adding to bad jurisprudence’

On the other hand, Barrister Yasser Latif Hamdani noted that the SC decision showed the impact that “perception of public opinion has on judgments”.

“Going by the letter of the law, there is no argument that independents don’t get reserved seats. However, the perception of fairness has seemingly trumped the letter of the law,” he told Dawn.com.

The lawyer pointed out that the division between the judges on the issue was indicative of the ideological debate within the legal circles on the use of the letter of the law (originalism) versus the living Constitution theory.

“Going by the letter of the law, the court’s decision to uphold the ECP’s decision on the symbol issue was the right one. Everything emanates from that. The law is clear: independents don’t get reserved seats. And since the intent of the reserved seats is to ensure representation for minorities and women, it makes perfect sense for these to be distributed amongst the remaining parties,” he said.

“For these reasons, this judgment adds to bad jurisprudence, especially to what started with the case pertaining to the interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution.”

DAWN
 
Please don’t tell me Ramiz Raja is coming back as PCB chairman?
 

Law Minister Tarar says SC verdict on reserved seats poses no threat to coalition govt​


Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan's verdict that favoured the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the reserved seats case, does not jeopardise the government's position.

"We still have a majority of 209 members, and the verdict has not been completed yet," Tarar stated following the ruling that PTI was eligible for the allocation of reserved seats.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, law minister mentioned uncertainty about whether the government would file a review petition against the verdict, noting, "It is the prerogative of the federal cabinet, not a minister."

Tarar described the verdict as "interesting," explaining that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) had claimed the reserved seats, not PTI.

"There was no mention of PTI in the PHC verdict, and the law states that no judgment can be passed against someone without hearing them," he said.

He highlighted that the majority of the parties were not present in court, yet the verdict was announced against them.

Tarar added that 80 candidates had never claimed in the Supreme Court that they belonged to PTI and questioned why they had to join SIC.

"These 80 candidates said that they belonged to SIC," he emphasised.

"There are constitutional and legal flaws in this verdict that will remain under discussion," Tarar concluded.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has also criticized the SC's decision on reserved seats, alleging that the constitution was "rewritten to benefit a personal favourite."

Bukhari questioned the integrity of the constitution, law, and institutions, stating, "Everything seems fine as long as it benefits the favourite."

"Interference by agencies has been defeated by domestic intervention, and the judiciary has repeated a dark chapter," the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) spokesperson said.

"The constitution was rewritten this time for a personal favourite," she added.

PMLN senior leader and PM’s advisor on political affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan also talked to the media after the SC verdict, he stated, "Verdicts like these are never in the interest of the country."

Further commenting on the verdict, the PML-N leader said the verdict reflects negative influences on the judiciary.

Earlier, the SC had overturned the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and Election Commission's decision regarding the reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

The 13-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, had reserved the decision, which was later announced by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

The court declared the Election Commission's notification of May 13 unconstitutional, stating in its majority decision that no party could be deprived of the electoral process by being denied its electoral symbol.

tribune.com.pk

Tarar says SC verdict poses no threat on coalition govt | The Express Tribune

Law Minister Tarar asserts SC's ruling favouring PTI on reserved seats doesn't jeopardize the government's position.
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 

ECP should resign and go home: JI's Hafiz Naeemur Rehman​


In the wake of the Supreme Court of Pakistan's verdict on the reserved seats case, Central Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has called for the resignation of the Election Commission, stating they should step down and leave their positions.

Responding to recent Supreme Court ruling, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank God, the veil of disbelief has been lifted." He welcomed the Supreme Court's decisions regarding specific seats, praising them as just. The rulings have exposed the dual standards of certain parties who had unlawfully occupied these seats against public mandate, he said.

The Supreme court today stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was entitled to reserved seats and that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s decision of allocating reserved seats to the ruling coalition was unconstitutional.

Candidates of the PTI cannot be declared independent candidates, nor representatives of any other party, the verdict said adding that the ECP had incorrectly declared members of PTI as independents.

"The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was a political party, remains a political party", the order said while instructing the PTI to submit a list of its reserved seats candidates within 15 days.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also remarked that some parties were playing a double game, stressing that this issue should not be considered resolved.

The JI leader advocated for the establishment of a judicial commission to ensure that seats in the national and provincial assemblies are returned to their rightful owners based on Form 45.

tribune.com.pk

ECP should resign and go home says Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman | The Express Tribune

JI leader stated that SC ruling exposed dual standards of parties who had unlawfully occupied seats
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
FearlessRoar said:

ECP should resign and go home: JI's Hafiz Naeemur Rehman​


In the wake of the Supreme Court of Pakistan's verdict on the reserved seats case, Central Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has called for the resignation of the Election Commission, stating they should step down and leave their positions.

Responding to recent Supreme Court ruling, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank God, the veil of disbelief has been lifted." He welcomed the Supreme Court's decisions regarding specific seats, praising them as just. The rulings have exposed the dual standards of certain parties who had unlawfully occupied these seats against public mandate, he said.

The Supreme court today stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was entitled to reserved seats and that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s decision of allocating reserved seats to the ruling coalition was unconstitutional.

Candidates of the PTI cannot be declared independent candidates, nor representatives of any other party, the verdict said adding that the ECP had incorrectly declared members of PTI as independents.

"The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was a political party, remains a political party", the order said while instructing the PTI to submit a list of its reserved seats candidates within 15 days.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also remarked that some parties were playing a double game, stressing that this issue should not be considered resolved.

The JI leader advocated for the establishment of a judicial commission to ensure that seats in the national and provincial assemblies are returned to their rightful owners based on Form 45.

tribune.com.pk

ECP should resign and go home says Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman | The Express Tribune

JI leader stated that SC ruling exposed dual standards of parties who had unlawfully occupied seats
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
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Raja needs to be charged Article 6.
 
The real question is if this is just for show, or is this a step forward for Pakistan and holding our current government accountable? Did establishment green light this because I find it hard to believe our courts are functioning independently under the influence of establishment.
 
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offstump said:
The real question is if this is just for show, or is this a step forward for Pakistan and holding our current government accountable? Did establishment green light this because I find it hard to believe our courts are functioning independently under the influence of establishment.
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The 6 judges are def anti corrupt mafia but the other 2 surprised me.
 
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Reserved seats verdict not a ‘conspiracy’ against govt: Sanaullah
Addressing a presser in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah said that the judges are also human beings and their opinions can be disagreed with. The PM’s advisor said the federal cabinet will decide availing the option of filing a review petition into the matter, adding that the legal team will be consulted to file a review petition in the apex court.

“If the government does not file a review petition, the suspended members of the assembly may file review appeals,” he added.

Rana Sanaullah said that the government has great regard for the apex court and the judges.

Answering a question, the Advisor said the coalition parties still have majority in the National Assembly as well as provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

Rana Sanaullah said that such relief was given to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which was not even asked for by ‘rewriting the constitution’. “The vague decisions are not in the interest of the country and nation,” he added.

He said that the decision of the apex court is not in favor of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), adding that the request made by the SIC was not accepted but a new decision has come in favor of the PTI.

Earlier in the day, the SC overturned the denial of reserved seats to the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah announced the 8-5 majority verdict on a petition filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), an ally of the PTI.

Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Shahid Waheed, Muneeb Akhtar, Muhammad Ali Mazhar Ayesha Malik, Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Irfan Saadat Khan ruled in favour of the PTI.

The top court nullified the Peshawar High Court’s order wherein it had upheld the ECP’s decision denying the reserved seats to the SIC.

n its order, the apex court said that the Election Commission of Pakistan ECP’s decision of allocating reserved seats to the ruling coalition was unconstitutional.

The bench accepted SIC’s petition and ruled that the party is eligible for the allocation of reserved seats. The apex court accepted PTI as political party and asked Imran Khan-led party to submit reserved seats candidates list to ECP within 15 days.

arynews.tv

Reserved seats verdict not a 'conspiracy' against govt: Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s decision in the reserved
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 

PTI to become largest party in National Assembly after Supreme Court ruling​

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to become the largest party in the National Assembly following a Supreme Court decision to allocate reserved seats to the party. The court’s ruling on Friday has resulted in the ruling coalition losing its two-thirds majority.

According to the decision by the Supreme Court, PTI will receive 20 reserved seats for women and 4 for minorities, increasing its total representation in the National Assembly to 116 members.

This development significantly boosts PTI's presence, as the party currently has 84 members along with support from 8 independent members.

In contrast, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds 108 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has 68 seats, making them the second and third largest parties, respectively.

Other parties in the assembly include MQM with 21 seats, JUI-F with 8, PML-Q with 5, and several smaller parties with 1-4 seats each. The Supreme Court's ruling also affects provincial assemblies.

PTI is expected to gain 24 women’s seats and 3 minority seats in the Punjab Assembly, 2 women’s seats and 1 minority seat in the Sindh Assembly, and 21 women’s seats and 4 minority seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

This shift in seat allocation reduces the ruling coalition's strength to 208 members in the National Assembly, while opposition parties now have 128 members.

Source: The Express Tribune
 

ECP clarifies stance on SC's decision to allocate reserved seats to PTI​

Following the Supreme Court's decision to allocate reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stated that it never declared PTI as a non-political entity but found the Supreme Court's (SC) decision to award reserved seats to PTI incomprehensible.

In a detailed statement issued on Friday, the ECP affirmed that PTI is a registered political party and its name is listed among registered political parties on the ECP's official website. The commission emphasised that it has not misinterpreted any decision.

However, it maintained that PTI's intra-party elections were not conducted properly, leading PTI to seek relief from various forums against the ECP's ruling.

The ECP recalled that the commission had invalidated PTI's intra-party elections, resulting in the withdrawal of their election symbol under Section 215 of the Elections Act.

The statement clarified that the 39 assembly members, whom the SC declared as PTI members, had not filed their nomination papers through PTI.

Therefore, the Returning Officers could not consider them as PTI candidates since they did not submit the necessary party tickets and declarations, the commission noted.

Furthermore, the ECP highlighted that 41 candidates did not mention PTI in their nomination papers or submit party tickets, thus participating in the elections as independents.

These members joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) within three days after winning the elections, making it legally untenable to categorise them as independent candidates post-election, it added.

The ECP reiterated that the SIC had appealed against the ECP and Peshawar High Court's (PHC) decisions in the SC, but their appeal was dismissed.

The statement concluded by expressing bewilderment at the Supreme Court's allocation of reserved seats to PTI, noting that PTI was neither a party in the case before the ECP nor in the appeals before the PHC and the SC.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
The Bald Eagle said:

ECP clarifies stance on SC's decision to allocate reserved seats to PTI​

Following the Supreme Court's decision to allocate reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stated that it never declared PTI as a non-political entity but found the Supreme Court's (SC) decision to award reserved seats to PTI incomprehensible.

In a detailed statement issued on Friday, the ECP affirmed that PTI is a registered political party and its name is listed among registered political parties on the ECP's official website. The commission emphasised that it has not misinterpreted any decision.

However, it maintained that PTI's intra-party elections were not conducted properly, leading PTI to seek relief from various forums against the ECP's ruling.

The ECP recalled that the commission had invalidated PTI's intra-party elections, resulting in the withdrawal of their election symbol under Section 215 of the Elections Act.

The statement clarified that the 39 assembly members, whom the SC declared as PTI members, had not filed their nomination papers through PTI.

Therefore, the Returning Officers could not consider them as PTI candidates since they did not submit the necessary party tickets and declarations, the commission noted.

Furthermore, the ECP highlighted that 41 candidates did not mention PTI in their nomination papers or submit party tickets, thus participating in the elections as independents.

These members joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) within three days after winning the elections, making it legally untenable to categorise them as independent candidates post-election, it added.

The ECP reiterated that the SIC had appealed against the ECP and Peshawar High Court's (PHC) decisions in the SC, but their appeal was dismissed.

The statement concluded by expressing bewilderment at the Supreme Court's allocation of reserved seats to PTI, noting that PTI was neither a party in the case before the ECP nor in the appeals before the PHC and the SC.

Source: The Express Tribune
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The ECP has one job and that is hold free and fair elections. It not only stops that from happening, it is a front for the criminal mafia to subvert the constitution.
 
Ruling has no impact on Senate elections held in April, experts say

Although Friday’s verdict of the apex court will have no direct impact on the outcome of the Senate elections held in three provinces and the National Assembly in April, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is set to become the single largest party in the upper house of the parliament after the election on 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to constitutional and legal experts, the apex court’s verdict will have no impact on the Senate elections held in April because the judgement has been declared effective from May 6.

Quoting Paragraph No 3 of the SC order written by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) president Ahmed Bilal Mehboob told Dawn that in his opinion there would be no impact of the verdict on the recently held Senate elections.

Moreover, he said, the Senate elections had not been challenged or questioned at any level during the hearing of the case.

According to Paragraph No 3, “The notifications (of various dates) whereby the persons respectively mentioned therein (being the persons identified in the Commission’s notification No.F.5(1)/2024-Cord. dated 13.05.2024) have been declared to be returned candidates for reserved seats for women and minorities in the National and provincial assemblies are declared to be ultra vires the Constitution, without lawful authority and of no legal effect, and are quashed from 06.05.2024 onwards, being the date an interim order was made by the Court in CPLA Nos. 1328-9 of 2024, the leave petitions out of which the instant appeals arise.”

On May 6, a three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had suspended the March 14 Peshawar High Court (PHC) judgement as well as the March 1 decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan to deprive the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of seats reserved for women and minorities.

The SC had explained that the interim order related to the disputed seats only, i.e. the reserved seats allocated over and above the initially allocated reserved seats to the political parties. It was also clarified that this order was to operate prospectively with effect from May 6.

When contacted, senior lawyer Kashif Ali Malik said that the apex court had protected all the actions of those declared winners on the reserved seats as they had participated in the business of the National Assembly, including the election of the Senate.

However, another senior lawyer, who did not want to be named, felt that there was no justification of protecting the actions of the persons declared returned candidates on reserved seats from May 6.

He believed that it was against the spirit of Article 25 of the Constitution that ensures equality. “How could the actions of a person brought in the house illegally could be legal for a certain period and then become illegal,” he questioned.

Senior lawyer Shah Khawar said the apex court had shut the door of further litigation and averted a potential constitutional crisis by protecting the Senate elections.

Islamabad High Court Bar Association Secretary Shafqat Tarar was of the view that the Senate elections could have been questionable had the apex court set aside the notifications of the returned candidates from the date of issuance.

The elections on vacant Senate seats were held on April 2 whereas the ECP had delayed polling for Senate elections in PTI-ruled KP Assembly following a controversy over the oath-taking of opposition lawmakers on reserved seats.

Following the elections, the total strength of the upper house increased from 66 to 85, with 59 members belonging to the ruling coalition, led by the PML-N.

The PPP with its 24 senators presently forms one-fourth of the total strength of the house, but this hold will not remain for long, as elections on KP’s 11 seats are yet to be held.

As per the party position in the KP Assembly, it is expected that the PTI will get nine out of 11 seats.

At present, PTI and PML-N have 19 senators each, Balochistan Awami Party has four, while the MQM-P and ANP have three members each. The PML-Q, BNP-Mengal and the National Party have one member each.

After Senate elections in the KP, the PTI’s tally is expected to reach 28 which means it will emerge as the single largest party in the upper house as well after the implementation of the apex court’s verdict.

DAWN
 
BouncerGuy said:
Ruling has no impact on Senate elections held in April, experts say

Although Friday’s verdict of the apex court will have no direct impact on the outcome of the Senate elections held in three provinces and the National Assembly in April, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is set to become the single largest party in the upper house of the parliament after the election on 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to constitutional and legal experts, the apex court’s verdict will have no impact on the Senate elections held in April because the judgement has been declared effective from May 6.

Quoting Paragraph No 3 of the SC order written by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) president Ahmed Bilal Mehboob told Dawn that in his opinion there would be no impact of the verdict on the recently held Senate elections.

Moreover, he said, the Senate elections had not been challenged or questioned at any level during the hearing of the case.

According to Paragraph No 3, “The notifications (of various dates) whereby the persons respectively mentioned therein (being the persons identified in the Commission’s notification No.F.5(1)/2024-Cord. dated 13.05.2024) have been declared to be returned candidates for reserved seats for women and minorities in the National and provincial assemblies are declared to be ultra vires the Constitution, without lawful authority and of no legal effect, and are quashed from 06.05.2024 onwards, being the date an interim order was made by the Court in CPLA Nos. 1328-9 of 2024, the leave petitions out of which the instant appeals arise.”

On May 6, a three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had suspended the March 14 Peshawar High Court (PHC) judgement as well as the March 1 decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan to deprive the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of seats reserved for women and minorities.

The SC had explained that the interim order related to the disputed seats only, i.e. the reserved seats allocated over and above the initially allocated reserved seats to the political parties. It was also clarified that this order was to operate prospectively with effect from May 6.

When contacted, senior lawyer Kashif Ali Malik said that the apex court had protected all the actions of those declared winners on the reserved seats as they had participated in the business of the National Assembly, including the election of the Senate.

However, another senior lawyer, who did not want to be named, felt that there was no justification of protecting the actions of the persons declared returned candidates on reserved seats from May 6.

He believed that it was against the spirit of Article 25 of the Constitution that ensures equality. “How could the actions of a person brought in the house illegally could be legal for a certain period and then become illegal,” he questioned.

Senior lawyer Shah Khawar said the apex court had shut the door of further litigation and averted a potential constitutional crisis by protecting the Senate elections.

Islamabad High Court Bar Association Secretary Shafqat Tarar was of the view that the Senate elections could have been questionable had the apex court set aside the notifications of the returned candidates from the date of issuance.

The elections on vacant Senate seats were held on April 2 whereas the ECP had delayed polling for Senate elections in PTI-ruled KP Assembly following a controversy over the oath-taking of opposition lawmakers on reserved seats.

Following the elections, the total strength of the upper house increased from 66 to 85, with 59 members belonging to the ruling coalition, led by the PML-N.

The PPP with its 24 senators presently forms one-fourth of the total strength of the house, but this hold will not remain for long, as elections on KP’s 11 seats are yet to be held.

As per the party position in the KP Assembly, it is expected that the PTI will get nine out of 11 seats.

At present, PTI and PML-N have 19 senators each, Balochistan Awami Party has four, while the MQM-P and ANP have three members each. The PML-Q, BNP-Mengal and the National Party have one member each.

After Senate elections in the KP, the PTI’s tally is expected to reach 28 which means it will emerge as the single largest party in the upper house as well after the implementation of the apex court’s verdict.

DAWN
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Why wouldn't it.
 
There will be another case slapped on him before he can be released.
 
offstump said:
There will be another case slapped on him before he can be released.
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We had a few weeks of LHC acting as a court and Isa elevated Justice Malik to the SC so that the mafia could retake the court. Nooras lawyers told everyone that Isa would remove Shazad but as they couldn't find any wrong doing, they promoted him onto the SC. We live obtuse times with the mafia in control but nothing lasts forever
 
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PML-N lashes out at verdict in reserved seats case

The Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats has prompted the ruling PML-N leadership to convene a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss their future line of action.

Some party leaders, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, expressed their disappointment and frustration with the verdict, alleging that certain judges may have favoured Imran Khan’s PTI.

However, the broadcast media refrained from airing parts of the press conferences at which the PML-N leaders had criticised the judges, possibly due to the notices recently served by the apex court on several TV news channels for broadcasting Senator Faisal Vawda’s controversial remarks about two senior judges.

Both the ministers’ pressers brought back the memories of times when the PML-N leaders would launch attacks on some judges of the SC during the tenure of then-CJP Umar Ata Bandial.

On Saturday, the PML-N leaders said that the SC’s verdict on reserved seats demonstrated “love for former prime minister Imran Khan”.

While Ms Bokhari hinted that the PML-N might not go for filing a review in this case, Khawaja Asif said the party might consult its allies whether to file a review or not on Monday.

The Supreme Court on Friday had declared Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) eligible for seats reserved for women and minorities, dealing a serious blow to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition.

“Yesterday (Friday) was the black day. The SC’s verdict demonstrates the love of Immi (Imran Khan). Begumaat won and the Constitution lost,” Ms Bokhari. She also targeted a couple of Supreme Court judges who were part of the 13-member bench that announced the verdict on reserved seats.

Upon asking whether she had no fear of contempt of court like that of Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal, Ms Bokhari said PTI’s Raoof Hasan and Omar Ayub could say anything but when “we say something (against the judges) action is taken against us”.

She then cited examples of PML-N’s Talal Chaudhry and Nehal Hashmi who were disqualified by the apex court for their tirade against judges. The minister expressed surprise over award of reserved seats to the PTI and asked how could the Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers be asked to submit fresh affidavit to join the PTI.

“The SC’s decision has opened the door of floor crossing. The way reserved seats have been doled out to the PTI by the SC, these could have been given to any party of neighbouring India and Bangladesh,” she lambasted. She said the PTI’s election mistakes were corrected by the judges, adding that the apex court verdict had introduced a “super doctrine of necessity”.

She also said that there seemed to be no role of intelligence agencies in judicial matters.

“The SC’s verdict also shows that there was no interference of intelligence agencies or it can also be inferred that the intelligence agencies did not know how to interfere,” she claimed.

Ms Bokhari also talked about the possibility of conspiracy under which the judges might have been made to believe that CJP Isa was being given extension and they fell to that conspiracy.

“The chair is dear to everyone,” she added.

Khawaja Asif called it a political decision, saying the PTI-backed candidates had submitted an affidavit of joining the SIC.

“Now they will submit another affidavit to join the PTI and going by that law a woman is permitted to contract two nikah at the same time. At the moment the country is gripped by Tehreek-i-Insaf mode,” Mr Asif said on X.

Meanwhile, PML-N president Nawaz Sharif, who has been in Murree, has called a meeting of party’s senior leaders including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday.

Mr Sharif is also reportedly not happy over the SC verdict and may come up with a strategy to deal with the fallout of the decision.

DAWN
 
PTI members submit their affiliation statements to party

The MNAs submitting their statements to the PTI secretariat. The party’s main leaders Omar Ayub, Shaharyar Afridi, Ali Muhammad Khan and others have submitted their statements on oath with Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali.

PTI’s Punjab leader Hammad Azhar’s father Mian Azhar, Syed Raza Ali Gillani MNA, Ahmed Chattha, Rana Bilal Ijaz, Usama Hamza, Jamshed Dasti and most of the party’s MNAs have submitted their affidavits to the party. Around 90 percent members have submitted their statements and remaining MNAs have been directed to submit affidavits by Sunday (today), party sources said.

The party will submit the statements to the election commission on Monday.

The apex court in its split verdict granted reserved seats to the PTI, which were earlier given to other parties by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The number of the PTI lawmakers, including those who had earlier been declared PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) members, is 92 in the National Assembly.

The SC verdict has paved the way for the PTI to get 22 reserved seats in the National Assembly, which were earlier given to other parties by the ECP. The total tally of the PTI MNAs will become 114.

arynews.tv

PTI members submit their affiliation statements to party

ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court's verdict over reserved seats, the MNAs have started submitting their statements on oath about affiliation with the
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 

Omar Ayub accuses govt of pressuring NA members to refrain from signing PTI affiliation oaths​


Opposition Leader Omar Ayub has accused the government of exerting pressure through administration officials to prevent their members of the national and provincial assemblies from signing affiliation oaths with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In a statement shared on the social media platform X on Sunday, a PTI spokesperson expressed concern that commissioners from various divisions in Punjab are allegedly contacting their party's lawmakers at the national and provincial levels, pressuring them not to sign oaths of affiliation with PTI.

"They are being lured by offers from Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz's ministries and other temptations, claiming to have names and evidence of these commissioners," the PTI spokesperson stated.

Omar Ayub emphasised that this serves as a clear warning to these government officials engaged in unlawful activities, vowing to publicly shame those individuals.

He stated, "As the leader of the opposition, I will personally initiate legal proceedings against these individuals and pursue them in courts. Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz should be ashamed; they haven't learned their lesson."

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between PTI and opposition leaders, with accusations of political maneuvering and interference in legislative affairs.

tribune.com.pk

Omar Ayub accuses govt of pressuring NA members to refrain from signing PTI affiliation oaths | The Express Tribune

Opposition leader warns legal action against officials involved, calls out PM Shehbaz and CM Maryam Nawaz
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
So the threats and intimidation has started against the PTI reps. IA these thugs will have to face up to their criminality
 

Govt to challenge Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats​


The federal government and its coalition partners have decided to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s ruling, which declared the PTI eligible for reserved seats, a decision that dashed its hopes of gaining a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar stated, "In the recent decision, undue relief was granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), prompting us to seek a review."

He claimed that the manifesto of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the party that PTI-backed independent candidates joined, declares that no non-Muslim can be a member of their party.

In a presser last week, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that any appeal against the decision on reserved seats would be filed after consultations with allied parties.

Tarar questioned the legitimacy of the top court's verdict, asking, "Did those who were granted relief even request it? A political party was given a right it did not deserve. We believe we are justified in filing a review petition."

He further noted that PTI had not conducted intra-party elections.

"Their MNAs did not declare before the judiciary that they were members of PTI. Were the MNAs who received relief present before the judiciary? Did they request the relief that was granted to them?"

The information minister further alleged that PTI had received funding from prohibited sources and had been securing stays in the foreign funding case for six years. He added that the party instigated the May 9 incident "for their own gains".

Till last week, despite signals from within the government hinting at the possibility of a review petition after seeking legal advice and thoroughly examining the apex court’s judgment, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan clarified that no decision was made.

It is pertinent to mention that the apex court had nullified the decisions of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP), ordering that reserved seats be allocated to PTI.

The top court recognized PTI as a party within the Parliament and the provincial assemblies.

tribune.com.pk

Govt to challenge Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats | The Express Tribune

Minister Tarar says 'undue' relief was given to PTI which prompted the government to appeal the verdict
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
ECP convenes meeting following SC verdict on reserved seats

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened a meeting to be held on Thursday (tomorrow) following the verdict of Supreme Court on reserved seats.

According to sources, the ECP has convened the meeting to be chaired by the chief election commissioner tomorrow at 11.am in Islamabad.

The legal wing of ECP will brief the participants over the SC’s verdict on reserved seats.

The ECP will deliberate the situation in the aftermath of apex court’s verdict announced last week.

The Supreme Court on Friday had overturned the Peshawar High Court's verdict of depriving the PTI of the reserved seats of non-Muslim and women candidates in assemblies.

The apex court, in its majority 8-5 decision, announced that the conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding reserved seats was 'unconstitutional', adding that the PTI would remain intact as a political party even without being assigned an election symbol.

The verdict was authored by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

It is likely that the PTI would get 65 out of 77 reserved seats. Of the 77 seats, 22 are of the National Assembly while 55 are of the provincial assemblies.


Dunya News
 
The Establishment has sent a clear message to the SC i.e. Do whatever you want, we will not comply. It will be repeat of the SC decision on the Punjab and KP Assembly in 2023. Who will act as the armed forces for the Supreme Court of Pakistan to implement its decisions? The people of Pakistan? I doubt it.
 
Savak said:
The Establishment has sent a clear message to the SC i.e. Do whatever you want, we will not comply. It will be repeat of the SC decision on the Punjab and KP Assembly in 2023. Who will act as the armed forces for the Supreme Court of Pakistan to implement its decisions? The people of Pakistan? I doubt it.
Click to expand...
If they do, and it's a possibility but a remote one, some of these guys will hang at some point in the future.
 
Nawaz to consult allies following SC verdict on reserved seats

PML-N President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to consult the allies to discuss the political situation in the aftermath of Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats.

According to sources, the PML-N supremo wanted to consult the allies before convening the party’s meeting of senior leadership.

The former three-time prime minister will consult the President Asif Ali Zardari, PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain and other allies to discuss the current political situation.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers who had earlier taken oath on reserved seats, have also decided to move the court in personal capacities.


dunyanews.tv

Nawaz to consult allies following SC verdict on reserved seats

PML-N supremo wanted to consult allies before convening the party meeting
dunyanews.tv dunyanews.tv
 
‘N’ plea on reserved seats verdict deferred till after vacations

The three-judge committee, constituted under the SC Practice and Procedure Act 2023 to decide which bench will hear which case, on Thursday deferred a proposal to fix PML-N’s petition against the July 12 short order in the reserved seat case.

Instead, the committee consisting of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, senior puisine judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar suggested fixing the review petition after a period of two months, following the court’s annual vacations.

Moreover, the committee was of the view that the review petition should be heard by the same 13-judge full court bench that decided the matter in the first place.

Both Justice Shah and Justice Akhtar may not be available during the summer vacations.

On July 12, a 13-judge full bench of the apex court had declared that the opposition PTI was eligible to receive reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the national and provincial assemblies.

In its petition, PML-N had prayed that the Supreme Court, instead of interpreting the Constitution, had entered the domain of legislation.

Moved through Barrister Haris Azmat, the ruling PML-N’s plea requests the Supreme Court to not only recall the judgement by reviewing the same, but also suspend its operation until pendency of the present matter.

The review petition maintained that the July 12 short order was against the settled principles of interpretation of the Constitution.

DAWN
 

ECP announces to implement Supreme Court order on reserved seats​


The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced its decision to implement the Supreme Court's July 12 ruling which facilitates the PTI-backed MNAs to take part in the assembly’s proceedings under the umbrella of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rather than the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

In a press release, the electoral watchdog confirmed its commitment to comply with the court's directive but instructed its legal team to identify any implementation obstacles promptly.

The apex court's majority verdict overturned the Peshawar High Court judgment dated March 25 and also declared the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order dated March 1 unconstitutional, lacking lawful authority and having no legal effect.

The apex court declared that the denial of an election symbol does not affect the constitutional and legal rights of a political party in any manner to participate in an election and to field candidates whereas the ECP is under a constitutional duty to act, construe and apply all statutory provisions accordingly.

The ECP held meetings yesterday and today to comply with the SC's order, according to the press release.

The ECP strongly condemned continuous and undue criticism from a political party directed at the Chief Election Commissioner and commission members, rejecting calls for their resignation as "ridiculous."

The commission stated, "The ECP will continue to perform its duties in accordance with the constitution and the law, without yielding to any pressure."

The commission clarified that it had not misinterpreted any decisions.

It rejected claims by PTI that its intra-party elections were validated. The ECP noted that PTI had challenged this decision on various forums, where the commission's decision was upheld.

Since PTI's intra-party elections were deemed invalid, the ECP withdrew the 'bat' symbol under Section 215 of the Elections Act.

Accusations against the ECP were deemed "highly inappropriate." The commission explained that the 39 MNAs identified as PTI affiliates had not submitted party tickets or declarations to the Returning Officer, making it impossible to recognize them as PTI candidates.

Similarly, 41 candidates declared as independents did not mention PTI affiliation or submit party tickets.

These independent candidates joined the Sunni Ittehad Council within three days post-election.

The Supreme Court rejected the Sunni Ittehad Council's appeal against the ECP and the Peshawar High Court's decision. PTI was not a party in this case at any stage.

The ECP spokesperson reiterated the commission's commitment to lawful and constitutional operations, regardless of external pressures.

tribune.com.pk

ECP announces to implement Supreme Court order on reserved seats | The Express Tribune

In a statement, electoral watchdog confirms its commitment to comply with court's directive
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Lol, have heard the government wants to roll back the Supreme Court Practice and Procedures Bill and now wants to empower the present CJ Qazi Faiz Essa to select benches of his own choosing. Bunch of badniyat losers.
 

PML-N, PPP agree to file review petition against PTI reserved seats verdict​


The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) agreed on Friday to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reserved seats verdict.

According to Express News, a meeting was held between the ruling coalition to discuss administrative matters in Punjab, the current political situation, and the government's proposal to ban PTI.

It was decided that further consultations would be held regarding the ban on PTI, and a review petition would be filed against the Supreme Court's verdict.

The PML-N delegation included National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Rana Sanaullah.

The Attorney General and other officials were also present at the meeting while the PPP delegation comprised of Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Nadeem Afzal Chan.

Just days after the Supreme Court resurrected PTI, the PML-N-led ruling coalition decided last week that a reference will be sent to the top court seeking a ban on PTI, adding that the government will also initiate Article 6 (high treason) proceedings against ex-PM Imran Khan, ex-President Dr Arif Alvi and ex-deputy speaker Qasim Suri for dissolving the National Assembly back in April 2022.

Tarar had announced that the ruling alliance has also decided to challenge the recent decision of the Supreme Court through which it declared that the PTI is entitled to have reserved seats in the assembly, saying the government would file a review petition against the ruling.

However, PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza criticised the decision to impose restrictions on political parties and Article 6 sanctions on PTI leaders, deeming it unjustified.

He emphasised that political disagreements should not lead to the dissolution of any party and stressed the importance of political entities adhering to democratic norms.

Murtaza clarified that Article 6, historically applied to former Generals Musharraf and Zia-ul-Haq but not enforced against political leaders or workers, does not encompass leaders and workers of political parties.

Meanwhile, PTI leaders strongly condemned the proposal to ban their party, stating that such a move is not a child's play. The statement was made during a press conference by opposition leader Omar Ayub, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, and Shibli Faraz last week.

Khan addressed the media, saying, "Today, the government announced its intention to ban PTI, and we strongly condemn this statement. It is a clear contempt of the Supreme Court, which has granted us relief. The Supreme Court has affirmed PTI's right to exist."

Ayub added, "The Supreme Court has declared PTI a legitimate party. Today's press conference reflects their desires. This 'Form 47 government' is a minority government. We demand that the PPP and MQM clearly state whether they support PML-N's statement. They must be explicit about their stance."

Various political entities also joined the PTI in denouncing the ruling coalition’s proposed move to ban the party, calling it "childish" and "unconstitutional."

As a result of the backlash, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that no decision has been made regarding the ban on PTI, stating that any decision will only be taken after consultation with coalition partners.

Moreover, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced its decision to implement the Supreme Court's July 12 ruling which facilitates the PTI-backed MNAs to take part in the assembly’s proceedings as PTI members rather than Sunni Ittehad Council members.

In a press release issued on Friday, the electoral watchdog confirmed its commitment to comply with the court's directive but instructed its legal team to identify any implementation obstacles promptly.

The apex court's majority verdict overturned the Peshawar High Court judgment dated March 25 and also declared the ECP order dated March 1 unconstitutional, lacking lawful authority and having no legal effect.

The apex court declared that the denial of an election symbol does not affect the constitutional and legal rights of a political party in any manner to participate in an election and to field candidates whereas the ECP is under a constitutional duty to act, construe and apply all statutory provisions accordingly.

tribune.com.pk

PML-N, PPP agree to file review petition against PTI reserved seats verdict | The Express Tribune

Ruling coalition holds crucial discussion over potentially banning Imran Khan's party
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Nawaz calls on SC to ‘rethink’ judgements

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday urged the Supreme Court judges to reconsider their decisions to better serve the public.

Speaking during a Punjab government meeting on the solar programme alongside his daughter, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mr Sharif referred to the apex court’s ruling in the reserved seats case, urging the judiciary to focus on the welfare of the masses.

“Those giving decisions, like the one in the reserved seats case, need to rethink as they must take care of people,” he said.

The former prime minister recalled the Supreme Court’s role in the Panama Papers case in 2017, which led to his removal from office after PTI leader Imran Khan filed a petition.

“A man (Imran Khan) roaming the roads was invited to the Supreme Court for justice, which ultimately led to my ousting. Why was this injustice done to the country?” Mr Sharif questioned.

On the issue of soaring electricity bills, Mr Sharif acknowledged the financial burden on the populace. “No one can pay the electricity bill; it has become a burden on everyone. By 2017, bills were lower, and so was the dollar rate. Since 2018, the poor have suffered greatly,” he noted, promising his party would take all possible measures to provide relief to citizens.

Nawaz Sharif has maintained a low profile since his party failed to secure a majority in the controversial Feb 8 polls, and his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, became prime minister. Recently, he reclaimed the PML-N presidency six years after losing it due to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Panama Papers case.

“The country is not being treated fairly,” Mr Sharif commented, hinting at alleged judicial biases. “We had said goodbye to IMF, but everyone knows who brought it back.”

Reflecting on his government’s 2013-17 tenure, he claimed that the country was “prospering by leaps and bounds” during that time. The PML-N supremo’s remarks came a day after CM Maryam launched a scathing criticism on the eight judges of the 13-member Supreme Court bench that allowed the PTI to reclaim its seats in parliament and assemblies. She warned the judges of severe consequences for attempts to destabilise the country.

“The Supreme Court’s decision (in the reserved seats case) is an attempt to destabilise the country. The judges who delivered this verdict have, in fact, sold their conscience,” she alleged. “Decisions should be based on law and the Constitution, not personal biases.”

She warned, “I want to tell the judges of the Supreme Court, let this country function smoothly. We will not allow you to disrupt its progress. Anyone who attempts to derail development and create political instability will be dealt with firmly.”

On Saturday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also criticised the judges, declaring that those supporting the May 9 culprits would be seen as facilitators.

“There is no place in Pakistani politics for the rioters and terrorists of May 9. Anyone standing with them will be considered an accomplice and no unconstitutional facilitation will be tolerated anymore,” Ms Bokhari said in a statement.

She said the existence of a party (PTI) that had become a threat to Pakistan’s integrity and sovereignty was intolerable.

DAWN
 
PPP challenges Supreme Court ruling on reserved seat after PML-N

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) challenged on Tuesday the July 12 verdict of the apex court on reserved seats, a week after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) submitted its review petition.

The decision received backlash from the ruling coalition, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressing her surprise and questioning the legitimacy of reinstating individuals she described as "criminals of the nation.

Represented by Farooq H. Naek, the PPP's review petition seeks to overturn the July 12 decision that previously annulled the decisions of the Peshawar High Court and the Election Commission, directing that the reserved seats be allocated to PTI. This ruling affirmed PTI's status as a legitimate party within the Parliament and provincial assemblies.

The SC's Practice and Procedure Committee has scheduled the hearing of the review petitions for after the September holidays.

However, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, dissenting from the majority decision, argued that the summer holidays should be cancelled to address the review petitions promptly.

He emphasized that the Constitution should take precedence over the convenience of judges, stating that delaying the hearing would be unjust.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
PTI women finalised for Punjab Assembly reserved seats

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly finalised the list of its candidates for the seats reserved for women in the Punjab Assembly.

The list has been prepared after the recent Supreme Court verdict in favour of the party for getting the reserved seats on the basis of the general seats won by the candidates with its support in the Feb 8 vote.

It is learnt that the PTI has prepared a list of 35 women candidates, including recently released social media activist Sanam Javaid and incarcerated central Punjab chapter president Dr Yasmin Rashid. However, it may claim only 24 women reserved seats in the provincial house.

The final approval of the list will be given by the founder chairman Imran Khan.

Other women leaders included in the Punjab Assembly list are: Tayyaba Ambreen, Naheed Niaz (Okara), Abida Raja (north Punjab women wing head); Saira Raza (north Punjab general secretary), Azra Naseem (west Punjab general secretary), Qurban Fatima (ex-south Punjab president), Farah Agha (ex-MPA and Rawalpindi dist head), Firdous Rahna (ex-MPA and women wing VP), Sadia Ayub, Ayesha Bhutta, Neelam Iftikhar Rao (Sahiwal chapter head), Sara Ali Syed, and Tanzeela Imran (Lahore women wing chief).

Rukhsana Raza Bano, Ruqia Bibi (Rajanpur dist president), Safia Javed (recommended by Moonis Elahi), Aminah Badar, Bushra Saeed (DG Khan), Amira Azhar, Aqsa Asim (Chiniot dist president), Shehla Mumtaz Niazi (Mianwali), Maimoona Kamal (Islamabad), Shireen Nawaz, Syeda Fatima Haider, Tehmina Riaz, Nelofer Ahmad Malik (Jhelum), Maryam Kulsoom (daughter of Mahmoodur Rasheed), Adeeba Nazar, Saima Noreen, Syeda Hina, Parveen Zaman, Shahmeen Shahid (recommended by Hammad Azhar), and Mrs Bilal Warraich.

Almost all the nominees have either been part of the May 9 protest or have performed ‘security’ duty at Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan, reveals the comments given about each of those on the list.

In May, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan had suspended 24 women and three minority MPAs elected on reserved seats and barred them from joining house proceedings after the Supreme Court had suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s verdict to allocate reserved seats to parties other than PTI/Sunni Ittehad Council.

Meanwhile, the PTI has also prepared a list of 14 nominees for the reserved seats for women from the Punjab quota in the National Assembly.

They are: Women’s wing president Kanwal Shauzeb, general secretary Rubina Shaheen, ex-north Punjab president Seemabiya Tahir, Farkhunda Kokab, Aaliya Hamza, interim Punjab president Shahnaz Tariq, general secretary Punjab Dr. Misbah Zafar, Rubiya Jameel, Rehana Dar, Khadija Shah, Dr Nosheen Hamid, ex-governor Umar Cheema’s wife Rabia Sultan Cheema, Farah Agha and Firdous Rehana.

DAWN
 
ECP seeks SC‘s guidance on reserved seats ruling

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has approached the Supreme Court to seek clarification on a ruling regarding the allocation of reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)

According to ECP, PTI has not conducted intra-party elections, raising questions about the legitimacy of its party structure.

“PTI is not functioning as a proper organization due to the lack of intra-party elections”, sources quoted ECP as saying.

The ECP has requested the SC to clarify who holds the authority to issue party certificates and how these should be recognized.

Sources told ARY News that the commission would decide on de-notifying 77 members who had reached the assemblies on reserved seats.

arynews.tv

ECP seeks SC‘s guidance on reserved seats ruling

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has approached the Supreme Court to seek clarification on a ruling regarding the allocation of
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
ECP notifies 39 MNAs as PTI members in line with SC order

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday declared 39 lawmakers — who contested the February 8 elections as independent candidates and later joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) — as members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in line with the Supreme Court's July 12 verdict in reserved seats case.

The ECP uploaded the notification on its website to declare 39 NA lawmakers as the former ruling party's members who had shown their affiliation with the PTI in their nomination papers for the February 8 nationwide polls.

The decision was taken in a key session held under the chair of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja today in which they reached a conclusion to upload the notification of 39 lawmakers' affiliation with the Imran-founded party.

Asad Qaiser, Sher Afzal Khan, Latif Khan Khosa, Zartarj Gul, Shandana Gulzar Khan, Zain Hussain Qureshi, Malik Aamir Dogar, Ali Afzal Sahi, Ali Khan Jadoon, and others were among the notified PTI MNAs.

The PTI MNAs who have been notified by the ECP today were those who had shown their party affiliation with the Imran-founded party in their nomination papers before the 2024 general elections.


www.geo.tv

ECP notifies 39 MNAs as PTI members in line with SC order

Asad Qaiser, Sher Afzal, Latif Khosa, Zartarj Gul among notified MNAs.ECP uploads notification on website to declare MNAs' affialition with PTI.CEC takes key decision in today's session to deliberate on SC verdict.
www.geo.tv www.geo.tv
 
PTI submits list of candidates for reserved seats to ECP

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted list of reserve seats of women and minorities to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The list of 67 women and 11 minority seats has been sent to the ECP.

The name of Lal Chand Malhi is on the top the list of National Assembly (NA) minorities seats.

The party has submitted priority lists for the NA, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh assemblies.

According to sources, Alia Hamza’s name is at the top for reserved seats for women in the National Assembly.

Sources further said the names of Sanam Javed, Alia Hamza, Kanwal Shuzeb, Rubina Shaheen, Seemabiya Tahir have been given for reserve seats in NA.


Dunya News
 
PTI finalises names for reserved seats in NA, KP assembly

As per details, the list for the reserved seats has been submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan after the approval of KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

For the KP Assembly, the list includes names of 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, and Chand Bibi, Naureen Arif, Razia Nosheen Abbasi, Zahida Javed, and Alia Nawab.

For the National Assembly, the list includes Maliha Ali, Samira Shams, Nadia Ambreen, Momina Basit, Naina Arshad, Saba Bibi, Sajida Zulfiqar, and Naila Marwat.

For the minority seats in the National Assembly, the list includes the names of Lal Chand, Rajesh Kumar, Waqas Khokhar, Huqooq Rafiq, and Chaudhry Amir.

For the minority seats in the KP Assembly, the names include Wazirzada, Irfan Joseph, Rajesh Kumar, Ravi Kumar, and Peter Neroz.

arynews.tv

PTI finalises names for reserved seats in NA, KP assembly

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalized names for the reserved seats in the National and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, ARY News
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
ECP notifies 93 PTI MPAs in three provinces

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday notified 93 returned members of three provincial assemblies as the lawmakers belonging to the PTI in pursuance of the July 12 Supreme Court order, but still failed to de-notify those who had been allocated additional reserved seats in the national as well as provincial assemblies.

According to a notification issued by the ECP, 29 members of the Punjab Assembly, 58 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and six members of the Sindh Assembly have been recognised as PTI members. Previously, the electoral watchdog had officially recognised 39 members of the National Assembly as part of the PTI.

The ECP, however, apparently delayed the emergence of the PTI as the single largest party in the lower house of parliament by its last-minute decision to approach the Supreme Court to seek guidance on the case of another 41 PTI MNAs who had not mentioned their party affiliation in their nomination papers. It asked the Supreme Court to clarify who should be contacted for verification of these lawmakers’ affidavits since the party had no organisational structure on the ground.

In a majority verdict, the Supreme Court on July 12 declared the PTI eligible to receive reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the national and provincial assemblies, giving it a new lease of life in the legislature by declaring it to be a parliamentary party. Despite an 8-5 split, all 13 judges declared the PTI a parliamentary party.

DAWN
 
PTI flayed for excluding tribal women from reserved seats’ list

A senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) woman leader Mehrin Afridi expressed serious reservations over her party’s decision of denying any representation to tribal women in the list of reserved seats for national and provincial assemblies.

Talking to journalists in Bara on Wednesday, the PTI former Fata women wing deputy general secretary vehemently rejected the list of her party’s candidates for reserved seats for women and termed it as a ‘robbery’ on the legitimate rights of tribal women.

She said that excluding tribal women from at least 22 to 23 reserved seats in the provincial and ten reserved seats in the national assembly respectively, was a huge disappointment for the party leadership and workers in the merged districts.

She alleged that some wasted elements within the party had also conspired to exclude her name from the list of tribal women recommended for reserved seats despite an initial approval from the top party leadership.

PTI’s women leader further alleged that an anti-workers group in the partywas not letting committed candidates to come forward and serve the party and the common people in the parliament.

Mehrin Afridi appealed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to order judicious investigation into the sudden exclusion of names of tribal women from the list of reserved seats quota, and put an end to the sense of deprivation among the female workers of the party in merged districts.

DAWN
 
Dissenting note: Relief cannot be granted to PTI in reserved seats case, say SC judges

After raising questions on the Supreme Court's majority verdict in the reserved seats case, two judges of the top court stated in their dissenting note on Saturday that relief cannot be granted to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the opposition party "was not before the Court nor tried to become a party before the ECP".

The two SC judges — Amin-Ud-Din Khan and Naeem Akhtar Afghan — issued 29-page dissenting note in the majority judgment announced by the apex court's full bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on July 12 this year.

The majority 8:5 landmark verdict declared the PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities in the assemblies after overturning the decisions of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The detailed dissenting note pointed out that the SIC did not contest the February 8 nationwide polls as a political party, whereas, its chairman had also taken part as an independent candidate in the electoral event.

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Dissenting note: Relief cannot be granted to PTI in reserved seats case, say SC judges

SIC did not contest Feb 8 nationwide polls as a political party.Jurists question infructuous delay in top court's detailed verdict.None of counsels agreed to granting reserved seats to PTI: dissenting note.
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Govt says judges' dissenting notes cast doubt on SC reserved seats case verdict​


Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has raised concerns over the recent Supreme Court decision involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the allocation of reserved seats.

During a press conference in Lahore, Tarar highlighted the dissenting opinions of two Supreme Court judges, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, which have cast doubts on the majority verdict.

Tarar criticized the Supreme Court's delay in issuing a comprehensive written decision, asking, "Why have the remaining judges not released their written opinions yet?"

He noted that the dissenting judges have suggested that implementing the decision might require suspending certain constitutional articles, a move he deemed problematic.

The minister elaborated on the implications of the dissenting notes, questioning the potential for "floor-crossing" if members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) were to occupy PTI seats.

"Is this not a violation of Articles 62 and 63?" Tarar asked, referring to the constitutional provisions that outline qualifications for parliamentarians.

He also expressed apprehension about the decision setting a precedent for future political manoeuvres, where members could freely switch party affiliations.

"The dissenting notes have put a big question mark on the majority decision," Tarar stated, emphasizing the need for clarity on the constitutional and legal issues raised by the judges.

Tarar warned that suspending constitutional articles to facilitate the decision could undermine Pakistan's legal framework. "If the impression of unilateral relief from the Supreme Court's decision persists, it will damage the constitution and the rule of law," he argued, highlighting the potential legal and constitutional fallout.

The information minister called for a thorough examination of the dissenting judges' concerns, stressing that a failure to address these issues could lead to legalized floor-crossing and effectively nullify Articles 62 and 63. "The rule of law must be upheld, and any legal ambiguities must be resolved to maintain constitutional integrity," Tarar concluded.

tribune.com.pk

Govt says judges' dissenting notes cast doubt on SC reserved seats case verdict | The Express Tribune

Info minister expresses concern that decision could set a precedent for members to freely switch party affiliations
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FearlessRoar said:

Govt says judges' dissenting notes cast doubt on SC reserved seats case verdict​


Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has raised concerns over the recent Supreme Court decision involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the allocation of reserved seats.

During a press conference in Lahore, Tarar highlighted the dissenting opinions of two Supreme Court judges, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, which have cast doubts on the majority verdict.

Tarar criticized the Supreme Court's delay in issuing a comprehensive written decision, asking, "Why have the remaining judges not released their written opinions yet?"

He noted that the dissenting judges have suggested that implementing the decision might require suspending certain constitutional articles, a move he deemed problematic.

The minister elaborated on the implications of the dissenting notes, questioning the potential for "floor-crossing" if members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) were to occupy PTI seats.

"Is this not a violation of Articles 62 and 63?" Tarar asked, referring to the constitutional provisions that outline qualifications for parliamentarians.

He also expressed apprehension about the decision setting a precedent for future political manoeuvres, where members could freely switch party affiliations.

"The dissenting notes have put a big question mark on the majority decision," Tarar stated, emphasizing the need for clarity on the constitutional and legal issues raised by the judges.

Tarar warned that suspending constitutional articles to facilitate the decision could undermine Pakistan's legal framework. "If the impression of unilateral relief from the Supreme Court's decision persists, it will damage the constitution and the rule of law," he argued, highlighting the potential legal and constitutional fallout.

The information minister called for a thorough examination of the dissenting judges' concerns, stressing that a failure to address these issues could lead to legalized floor-crossing and effectively nullify Articles 62 and 63. "The rule of law must be upheld, and any legal ambiguities must be resolved to maintain constitutional integrity," Tarar concluded.

tribune.com.pk

Govt says judges' dissenting notes cast doubt on SC reserved seats case verdict | The Express Tribune

Info minister expresses concern that decision could set a precedent for members to freely switch party affiliations
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So the 2 judges have weight but the 8 obviously don't. It's the sort Maths that led to corrupts with less than 50 seats( both Nooras and PPP) ending up with a 2/3rd majority in the parliament.
 
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The ECP has refused to obey and implement the SC decision. The CJP has through the 2 judges told the ECP not to implement the majority decision. If you are confused, don't be,Isa is the biggest crook modern PK history and he is controlled by the mafia.
Article 6 should be immediately imposed on Isa, the 2 judges, Muneera and the whole of the cabinet.
 
Bewal Express said:
The ECP has refused to obey and implement the SC decision. The CJP has through the 2 judges told the ECP not to implement the majority decision. If you are confused, don't be,Isa is the biggest crook modern PK history and he is controlled by the mafia.
Article 6 should be immediately imposed on Isa, the 2 judges, Muneera and the whole of the cabinet.
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Pakistan as a nation is finished. A bunch corrupt elites that have destroyed the country.

Corrupt judges, corrupt politicians, corrupt generals, corruption in every single institution, the constitution means nothing to them, it’s all about power and greed.

Imran Khan’s biggest mistake was he was too clean to be a politician, if you want to stay in power then you need blood on your hands.

He had a chance to eliminate his opponents, in a country like Pakistan you cannot give these crooks a sniff of getting back into power.

Now, we’ll have to suffer for another year with isa getting his extension.
 
People just cannot accept Imran Khan because he exposed those entities that were untouchable before. Not an easy pill to swallow and like Nawaz or other guys, Imran Khan is making no deals to run out of the country calling himself sick etc etc.
 

Imran Khan’s party files Supreme Court petition against Pakistan election law on reserved seats​


Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging amendments to the election law that could prevent the allocation of reserved seats to the party, which previously secured a favorable verdict from the top court on the matter.

PTI candidates had to contest the Feb. 8 general elections as independents after the party was stripped by the election commission of its symbol on technical grounds. They won the most seats in the polls, but the commission ruled they were not entitled to reserved parliamentary seats for women and minorities that are allocated in proportion to the number of seats a political party wins in general elections.

Last month, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled that the PTI was indeed eligible for over 20 extra reserved seats in parliament. The court said the PTI was a political party for the purpose of the Feb. 8 polls and those who contested as independents because the PTI lost its election symbol were in fact PTI candidates.

However, the country’s coalition administration adopted a bill seeking amendments to the Elections Act, 2017, which was largely viewed as an attempt to deprive PTI of getting additional seats.

“The plea filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by PTI Chairman Gohar Khan via lawyer Barrister Salman Akram Raja [has urged] the apex court to declare the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024, null and void,” Pakistan’s Geo News TV reported.

The development comes only a day after the bill was adopted by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan vowed to challenge the amendements in the court while speaking at the National Assembly, hoping the top court judges would set aside the “illegal and unconstitutional” legislation.

He recognized during his speech that parliament was supreme and had the power to make laws. However, he noted it was the Supreme Court’s prerogative to interpret the constitution.

The Elections (Second Amendment) Bill says if a candidate does not submit a declaration of his affiliation with a political party to the returning officer before seeking the allotment of an election symbol, he or she shall be “deemed to be considered as an independent candidate and not a candidate of any political party.”

Another amendment says if a political party fails to submit its list for reserved seats within the prescribed time period, it would not be eligible for reserved seats at a later stage. A third amendment says a winning independent candidate’s decision to join a political party after elections was irrevocable.

After the election, PTI-backed candidates were forced to join the Sunni Ittehad Council, or SIC party, to claim their share of reserved seats since the election commission said independents were not eligible for them.

Pakistan has reserved seats for women and religious minorities to ensure greater inclusiveness in the legislative process on both national and provincial levels.

www.arabnews.pk

Imran Khan’s party files Supreme Court petition against Pakistan election law on reserved seats

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging amendments to the election law that could prevent the allocation of reserved seats to the party, which previously secured a favorable verdict from...
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Bilawal warns of upcoming constitutional crisis after SC ruling on reserved seats​


Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday voiced strong criticism of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on reserved seats, asserting that the decision is steering Pakistan into a constitutional crisis.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Bilawal expressed concern over the Supreme Court's verdict in the SIC reserved seats case, suggesting that the ruling had "mobilised a 'dead' party."

He questioned the opposition leader, asking if either he or the Prime Minister had taken away PTI's bat symbol, which was revoked by the court due to alleged rigging in the party's interparty election.

Bilawal also condemned the rise of "hate politics" in Pakistan, describing it as unprecedented in the country's history.

He lamented the ongoing economic crisis, stressing that while the people are suffering, politicians have failed to provide much-needed relief.

The PPP leader also took a moment to congratulate Arshad Nadeem for his historic gold medal win in the Paris Olympics 2024, marking the end of Pakistan's 32-year Olympic medal drought.

tribune.com.pk

Bilawal warns of upcoming constitutional crisis after SC ruling on reserved seats | The Express Tribune

PPP chairman expresses concern over the top court's verdict, stating it revived a 'dead' party
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FearlessRoar said:

Bilawal warns of upcoming constitutional crisis after SC ruling on reserved seats​


Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday voiced strong criticism of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on reserved seats, asserting that the decision is steering Pakistan into a constitutional crisis.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Bilawal expressed concern over the Supreme Court's verdict in the SIC reserved seats case, suggesting that the ruling had "mobilised a 'dead' party."

He questioned the opposition leader, asking if either he or the Prime Minister had taken away PTI's bat symbol, which was revoked by the court due to alleged rigging in the party's interparty election.

Bilawal also condemned the rise of "hate politics" in Pakistan, describing it as unprecedented in the country's history.

He lamented the ongoing economic crisis, stressing that while the people are suffering, politicians have failed to provide much-needed relief.

The PPP leader also took a moment to congratulate Arshad Nadeem for his historic gold medal win in the Paris Olympics 2024, marking the end of Pakistan's 32-year Olympic medal drought.

tribune.com.pk

Bilawal warns of upcoming constitutional crisis after SC ruling on reserved seats | The Express Tribune

PPP chairman expresses concern over the top court's verdict, stating it revived a 'dead' party
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So Billo has had in backside when form 47 guys that includes his own party stole an election in front of the whole World. Billo you have destroyed your own future, most PKs are under 30, and they will never vote for a Khusra or the crooked Sharifs.
 
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah emphasises adherence to supreme court decisions

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court, while emphasising on implementation of court rulings, has stated that failing to implement the Supreme Court’s decisions would be unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court derives its authority from the Constitution, and non-compliance with its decisions would violate the Constitution,” said Justice Mansoor Ali Shah speaking at an event on overcoming challenges in implementing court decisions.

Justice Shah asserted that the legal system relies on the enforcement of rulings and failure to do so could disrupt the entire legal framework. So, there is no choice but to adhere to the court’s decisions.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan recently ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council is eligible for reserved seats. However, the Parliament has yet to implement this decision.

While referring to the delays in implementation of court rulings in Pakistan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah mentioned his observation that implementation of a 2014 ruling has only recently been achieved. He stressed that there should be no “executive overreach” in the implementation of these decisions.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also spoked on minority rights in Pakistan. He declared that the rights of minorities must be upheld by the majority and that it is the duty of the 96% Muslims, the majority of Pakistan, to protect these rights of the minorities. He expressed concern over the reports regarding minority right violations in Pakistan and emphasised that minorities should enjoy the same rights as the majority. That is what is as enshrined in the Constitution.

He also referenced Quranic verses, the Bible, and the Guru Granth Sahib to highlight the importance of safeguarding minority rights. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah called for introspection, urging the majority to reflect on the direction in which society is heading, noting that both religion and the Constitution advocate for social justice and tolerance.

Regarding current Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah clarified that he has been incorrectly referred to as the acting Chief Justice. He stated that while he is the senior-most judge, Justice Qazi Faez Isa is the rightful Chief Justice, who is in good health, and prayed for his continued well-being.

arynews.tv

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah emphasises adherence to supreme court decisions

ISLAMABAD: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court, while emphasising on implementation of court rulings, has stated that failing to implement the
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PTI remains ‘headless’ despite top court relief

More than a month after the Supreme Court handed a major legal victory to the PTI by declaring it eligible for reserved seats in National and provincial assemblies, the party remains without a head and an election symbol in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s books.

On Wednesday, the ECP released a revised list of political parties, leaving the position of party head for PTI vacant.

The updated list was made public over five weeks after the Supreme Court’s July 12 ruling on reserved seats. Despite the split decision of 8-5, all 13 judges had acknowledged PTI’s status as a parliamentary party.

The majority judgement explained that 39 out of the 80 MNAs listed by the ECP as PTI candidates were indeed from that party. However, the remaining 41 independents were required to submit duly signed and notarised statements to the Election Commission within 15 days from the date of the top court’s verdict, confirming that they contested the Feb 8 general elections as candidates of a specific political party.

Although the ECP eventually notified the 39 lawmakers, it delayed the process by two weeks before approaching the Supreme Court for clarification on who should be contacted for verification as the PTI had lost its organisational structure.

The controversy began when the ECP, after dragging the PTI’s party polls case for a long time, voided its intra-party elections held in 2022 — just before the general elections — and gave the party 20 days to conduct fresh elections, which were also not recognised by the ECP.

The commission then denied PTI its iconic poll symbol — bat — forcing candidates to run in the general election as independents. Subsequently, reserved seats were controversially distributed among three other political parties.

The Supreme Court has yet to respond to the ECP’s request for clarification — a move many see as an attempt to prevent PTI from emerging as the largest party in the National Assembly. The case against the intra-party elections conducted by PTI after the general elections — its third such exercise in less than two years — also remains pending before the ECP.

The revised ECP list now includes 166 registered political parties. The Election Commission has recognised the intra-party elections of several political parties, including the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), without any scrutiny.

The commission has confirmed Nawaz Sharif as the PML-N president, while Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is listed as the chief of Jamaat-i-Islami. Interestingly, President Asif Ali Zardari, despite being elected as head of state for a second time, continues to head Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), while Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has been confirmed as chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Former KP chief minister Mehmood Khan has been updated as the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P), a party formed by another former KP chief minister, Pervaiz Khattak, before the general elections.

Asfandyar Wali Khan remains the president of the Awami National Party (ANP), and Maulana Fazlur Rahman continues to lead his faction of JUI. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also retains his position as convener of MQM-Pakistan. The election body has included the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) in the list of registered political parties without mentioning the name of its head.

Prominent party leaders in the list include Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (Pakistan Muslim League), Mehmood Khan Achakzai (Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party), Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch (National Democratic Party), Dr Abdul Malik Baloch (National Party), Shahzain Bugti (Jamhoori Wattan Party), and Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao (Qaumi Watan Party).

DAWN NEWS
 
PTI approaches Supreme Court for implementation of reserved seats verdict

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf approached the Supreme Court on Monday to seek implementation of the apex court’s July 12 verdict on reserved seats.

Advocate Azhar Siddique filed a separate petition in the Supreme Court, requesting that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s application for clarification be dismissed and the certificates of affiliation of independent members be approved. The petition also seeks an order for the ECP to implement the brief verdict of July 12.

The PTI has maintained that the ECP has approached the court for clarification on the verdict. The petition argues that the commission’s claim of facing difficulties in implementing the verdict “is an attempt to delay” the court’s decision and that the commission’s petition was allegedly not filed in good faith.

It alleged that the ECP was creating obstacles in the reserved seats and that PTI’s constitutional and legal framework was in place. The PTI held intra-party elections on March 3 and submitted the details to the commission, with Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omar Ayub elected as chairman and general secretary respectively, the petition added.

The petition stated that the party affiliation of the members was approved by the signatures of the chairman and secretary and the ECP is “bound to complete the process of issuing the certificates of party affiliation.”


AAJ News
 

PTI welcomes Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats case​


Senate Opposition Leader and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Senator Shibli Faraz, hailed the Supreme Court's eight-member bench ruling on the issue of reserved seats, calling it a significant victory for his party.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament House alongside PTI leader Aun Abbas on Saturday, Faraz said, "We promptly approached the Supreme Court on the reserved seats issue, and the court has now delivered a clear and decisive ruling."

Faraz added that the ruling had clarified the status of PTI members. "The Supreme Court has made it clear – the status of our members is now resolved," he said. He also highlighted that, while the Rahim Yar Khan by-election results were swiftly notified, the general election results, held six months ago, still remain undecided.

Criticising the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Faraz said, "The ECP is responsible for conducting the most controversial election in the country's history. Decisions regarding PTI are delayed, while other forums see swift resolutions. It is the ECP’s constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections."

Faraz also voiced concerns over the delayed local body elections, calling it a "malicious act" that is damaging Pakistan’s political landscape.

He noted that the election tribunals have yet to announce results, further delaying the election process.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court criticised the delay in implementing its decision on the reserved seats case, warning of serious consequences if the ruling is not implemented.

An eight-judge bench, which ruled on the reserved seats issue concerning the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), instructed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to immediately release the list of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) returned candidates.

The court's four-page statement made it clear that the absence of an election symbol does not void a political party's legal and constitutional rights.

"PTI remains a recognised political party and has secured seats in both national and provincial assemblies," the judges stated.

tribune.com.pk

PTI welcomes Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats case | The Express Tribune

Senator Shibli Faraz says top court has made it clear – the status of our members is now resolved
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Amended Election Act overrides court ruling on reserved seats: NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq​


The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, has formally challenged the Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats, stating that the recent amendments to the Election Act render the ruling inapplicable.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, Ayaz emphasised that after Parliament’s changes to the law, the court’s directive cannot be implemented, and the Election Commission must instead adhere to the new legislation.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that independent candidates, after winning elections, could join political parties and alter their political allegiance.

However, in his letter, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq pointed out that Parliament passed an amendment to the Election Act on August 7, 2024, prohibiting independent candidates who join a party post-election from switching their affiliation.

This amendment, he argued, supersedes the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Ayaz Sadiq further highlighted that previous decisions cannot retroactively influence the changes in the Election Act.

He called on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to respect parliamentary supremacy and fully implement the new provisions concerning reserved seats.

He stressed that it is the ECP’s constitutional duty to uphold laws passed by the Parliament and ensure their enforcement.

Speaker Ayaz also attached copies of the amended legislation and reminded the Commission that the amendment directly affects the allocation of reserved seats, making the court’s earlier ruling void under the new legal framework.

The speaker concluded by urging the ECP to take immediate action and ensure that the revised Election Act is fully implemented, including its provisions regarding reserved seats and party affiliation changes.

This development will likely fuel further debate on the balance of power between Pakistan’s judiciary and Parliament and the evolving rules governing the country’s electoral processes.

tribune.com.pk

Amended Election Act overrides court ruling on reserved seats, says Ayaz Sadiq | The Express Tribune

Ayaz Sadiq urges the Election Commission to follow parliamentary law over court rulings on reserved seats.
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Justice Yahya Afridi issues dissenting note in reserved seats case

The Supreme Court (SC) judge, Justice Yahya Afridi, expressed reservations about the legal standing of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements for claiming reserved seats, ARY News reported on Monday.

Justice Yahya Afridi issued a 26-page dissenting note, and expressed his reservations about the legal standing of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements for claiming reserved seats.

He rejected the petitions filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council, declaring them ineligible for reserved seats in the current case.

The SC judge emphasized that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is a recognized political party that qualifies for certain reserved seats.

However, he noted that PTI had not originally filed to become a party to the case.

Despite the case being in process since June 3, PTI only submitted a request to become involved on June 26, represented by Barrister Gauhar. PTI did not seek any declaration in its favor throughout the case, according to Afridi.

Justice Afridi concluded by recommending that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) review the notification concerning the allocation of specific seats. He urged the commission to hear the parties involved and make a decision within seven days.


ARY News
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Justice Yahya Afridi issues dissenting note in reserved seats case

The Supreme Court (SC) judge, Justice Yahya Afridi, expressed reservations about the legal standing of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements for claiming reserved seats, ARY News reported on Monday.

Justice Yahya Afridi issued a 26-page dissenting note, and expressed his reservations about the legal standing of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements for claiming reserved seats.

He rejected the petitions filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council, declaring them ineligible for reserved seats in the current case.

The SC judge emphasized that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is a recognized political party that qualifies for certain reserved seats.

However, he noted that PTI had not originally filed to become a party to the case.

Despite the case being in process since June 3, PTI only submitted a request to become involved on June 26, represented by Barrister Gauhar. PTI did not seek any declaration in its favor throughout the case, according to Afridi.

Justice Afridi concluded by recommending that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) review the notification concerning the allocation of specific seats. He urged the commission to hear the parties involved and make a decision within seven days.


ARY News
Click to expand...
Afridi is the next Isa. Sharifs love this guy, that alone speaks volumes about the honesty of this guy.
 
Judges bring spat out in the open

A bitter spat between ‘brother judges’, which had been simmering for quite some time, came to a head on Monday as differences between them were reflected in a judgement issued by the top court — something many legal experts termed ‘unprecedented’.

In a 70-page verdict regarding the reserved seats, senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah responded to the observations made by Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan in their dissenting notes.

“We feel constrained to observe, with a heavy heart, that our two learned colleagues in the minority […] have made certain observations in their dissenting judgement of Aug 3, 2024, which do not behove judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the highest court of the land,” regretted Justice Shah.

“We take no issue with their having and expressing the view that, in their understanding, our order dated 12 July 2024 is not in accordance with the Constitution, as members of a bench of this court, or any court, can legitimately differ on issues of fact and law […] However, the manner in which they have expressed their disagreement falls short of the courtesy and restraint required of judges of the superior courts,” Justice Shah said.

“What is more disquieting is that […] they appear to have gone beyond the parameters of propriety by warning the 39 plus 41 (80) returned candidates and urging the commission not to comply with the majority order […] Such observations undermine the integrity of the highest institution of justice in the country and seem to constitute an attempt to obstruct the process of the court and the administration of justice,” the judge lamented.

“The judges need not always see eye to eye and may ultimately disagree, but the possibility of disagreement does not absolve them from engaging in a free and frank discussion before rendering their final opinion,” Justice Shah observed.

“Egos may be bruised, tempers tempted, yet all must pursue the process with respect and civility,” he suggested.

In their dissenting verdict on the issue of reserved seats, both judges had held that the superstructure created by July 12 majority judgement did not come within the ambit of the jurisdiction vested in the Supreme Court, or in the Constitution.

Calls for restraint

“For the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history, minority judges had asked institutions not to implement the majority judgement, thus inviting chaos in the country,” commented a senior counsel on condition of anonymity.

The judges should show restraint instead of commenting against each other since their conduct adversely affects the prestige and dignity of the court, he regretted.

Former additional attorney general (AAG) Tariq Mehmood Khokhar was of the view that the ‘internecine strife’ in the top judges was not without precedent.

In Nov 1997, during the PML-N government, two parallel courts convened simultaneously in the Supreme Court building, in crude opposition to each other.

“Much ugliness followed, including the ruling PML-N thugs and goons storming the Sajjad Ali Shah court, without any intervention by the security personnel,” he recalled.

“It is happening again during another PML-N premiership,” Mr Khokhar said, expressing hope that this was not the beginning of a ‘Sajjad Ali Shah moment’.

For Advocate Taimur Malik, an expert in international law, the observations in the detailed judgement regarding two fellow judges were unprecedented, unusual and very significant. These observations highlight that the majority judges have strong reservations regarding the note authored by two judges and its adverse effect on the implementation of the full court’s majority judgement, he said.

The judgement penned by Justice Shah also underscored the majority of the judges did not take lightly any attempts to undermine the sanctity of judicial decisions, he said.

Justice Shah’s letter

Shortly after the judgement was released, Justice Shah wrote a three-page letter expressing his displeasure with recent changes to the bench-forming committee, in light of a recently-promulgated ordinance. He said that he could not participate in meetings of the three-judge committee, which had been reformed under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Ordinance 2024.

The Sept 21 letter of CJP Qazi Faez Isa to the court’s registrar seeking an explanation of how the Sept 14 clarification order by Justice Shah was uploaded on the top court’s website also showed hinted at infighting among ‘brother judges’.

Through Monday’s letter, Justice Shah suggested that until the constitutional validity of the amendments was determined by a full court, or judges of the apex court resolved to act upon the amendments in a full court meeting on the administrative side, or the earlier committee was restored, he would not attend the meeting. On Sept 20, moments after the federal government promulgated the ordinance, the CJP had changed the composition of the committee by substituting Justice Munib Akhtar with Justice Aminuddin Khan.

In his letter, Justice Shah observed that independence, transparency and collegiality required the CJP to raise an immediate alarm and concern on the promulgation of the ordinance in the light of court’s celebrated pronouncement in the 2024 Raja Amer case and to convene a full court meeting for deliberations on the matter, rather than hurriedly acquiescing to it and quietly reconstituting the existing committee without any lawful justification and reasons.

The Supreme Court had held in the Raja Amer case that Article 191 vested the initial and primary power to make rules for regulating its practice and procedure in the Supreme Court, he wrote.

“I am afraid, any proceedings taken or decisions made by the reconstituted committee will […] undermine the integrity of the highest institution of justice in the country as well as the public confidence in the decisions made by the benches constituted by it,” he feared.

The judge also appeared concerned over the amendment vesting unfettered and arbitrary discretion in the CJP to determine the composition of the committee. Further, the constitutional conditionality of the very act of promulgating the amending ordinance also requires a judicial determination as no urgency has been spelt out that necessitated its promulgation, he said, adding that not to mention the timing of the new ordinance in the midst of the current constitutional crises.

Justice Shah also pointed out that the legislation did not provide for necessary reconstitution of the existing committee and hence, the earlier committee could have continued even after the amendment.

But within hours of the promulgation of the ordinance, it was notified that the committee had been reconstituted and no reasons were given as to why the second senior-most judge, Justice Akhtar, was removed despite his availability.

Furthermore, no reasons were given why the next senior most judge (Justice Yahya Afridi) was ignored and instead, the fourth senior most judge was nominated as a member of the committee. Such unfortunate cherry-picking and undemocratic display of one-man show are precisely what the 2023 act tried to discourage, he added.

DAWN NEWS
 
ECP divided over implementation of SC verdict on reserved seats

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) remains divided over the implementation of Supreme Court (SC) order regarding reserved seats.

According to sources, two ECP members support the SC ‘s decision, citing no alternative but compliance.

However, the chief election commissioner and three other members favour a ‘wait and see’ approach.

Despite holding its seventh meeting, the commission has yet to reach a final decision.

It has been suggested to delay action until the legal team’s review petition is resolved. The matter will be discussed again in a meeting scheduled for Thursday.


Dunya News
 
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