The Supreme Court of Pakistan is set to announce its verdict on the reserved seats case today, a decision that could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape. The case involves the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) appealing against the Peshawar High Court’s verdict denying them reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies.
The SIC had applied for the reserved seats after forming an alliance with PTI-affiliated independent candidates, but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) denied their request and redistributed the seats to other parties. The SIC then approached the Supreme Court, which suspended the ECP’s decision and the PHC’s verdict.
Legal experts believe that leaving the seats vacant is not a viable option and could lead to constitutional issues. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of PILDAT, says that the seats should be distributed among other parties if the SIC is not awarded them. “Keeping the seats vacant is not a legitimate option,” he adds.
Barrister Rida Hosain agrees, stating that it would be unjust to leave the seats vacant, considering the circumstances. Akram Khurram, a lawyer specializing in election law, notes that the law is clear on how reserved seats are to be allotted, based on proportionality.
The reserved seats are intended to ensure proportional representation and positive representation for underrepresented groups such as women and minorities. The Supreme Court’s verdict will set a precedent for future elections and could impact the balance of power in the assemblies.
The full court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, will announce the verdict today. The decision is eagerly awaited by political parties and legal experts alike, as it could have significant implications for Pakistan’s political landscape.
