ISLAMABAD: PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has called for a crucial meeting on Monday to discuss the party’s response to the Supreme Court’s unexpected ruling that declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible for reserved seats. This decision is anticipated to bolster PTI’s position in the National Assembly, weakening the ruling coalition’s two-thirds majority.
The ruling has intensified pressure on the PML-N-led coalition. PTI, previously excluded from the February 8 polls due to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) December 2023 ruling, saw its internal polls declared illegal and barred from using its iconic “bat” symbol.
Consequently, PTI candidates ran as independents and later joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to secure reserved seats for women and minorities. Despite initial rejections from the ECP and Peshawar High Court (PHC), PTI’s legal battle culminated in an 8-5 Supreme Court decision overturning the PHC’s March 25 order and granting PTI-backed SIC members the reserved seats.
PML-N leaders, including Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, criticized the verdict but maintained confidence in the coalition’s majority with 209 members. The ruling party is now considering appealing the decision. Nawaz Sharif held consultations with senior PML-N leadership, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and expressed surprise at the ruling, calling for another meeting in Murree to decide on further actions.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, addressing media in Sialkot, criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling for “violating various sections of the Constitution” and indicated that parliament would decide on filing a review plea. If PTI secures the 23 reserved seats, its presence in the National Assembly will rise to 109 members, making it the largest party. The ruling coalition, led by PML-N with 108 members, would still maintain a simple majority. The opposition alliance’s strength would increase to 120 members.
Currently, PTI has 86 members in the lower house, including 84 affiliated with the Sunni Ittehad Council and two independents. The opposition comprises 68 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members, eight Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) members, and one member each from BNP-Mengal, MWM, and PkMAP. The MQM-P has 21 members, and one minority seat remains suspended.
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