This decision overturns the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) earlier verdict denying PTI reserved seats. The ruling coalition has lost its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly but still holds a simple majority with 210 seats.

The PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) had approached the court after the ECP denied them reserved seats due to a technicality. The ECP had allotted reserved seats to other parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). However, the Supreme Court’s verdict has paved the way for PTI to gain over 20 reserved seats in the National Assembly, reducing the ruling coalition’s strength.

This development is significant as it shifts the balance of power in the National Assembly. PTI is now poised to become the majority party, while the ruling coalition’s loss of two-thirds majority will impact their ability to pass legislation and make key decisions. The opposition will have 125 seats, gaining a stronger foothold in the parliament. This verdict is a significant win for PTI and a setback for the ruling coalition, and its implications will be closely watched in the coming days.