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PHC Orders ECP to Respond on PML-N Reserved Seats Plea by Tomorrow
Peshawar High Court directs Election Commission to respond by tomorrow in PML-N's petition over unfair distribution of reserved seats in KP Assembly. Case moved to Bench No. 3.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-07
PHC Orders ECP to Respond on PML-N Reserved Seats Plea by Tomorrow

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit its response by tomorrow in a case challenging the distribution of reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The case, filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been transferred to Bench No. 3.

The petition was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal.

➤ PML-N Alleges Unfair Distribution

The PML-N's counsel argued that both PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) hold seven general seats each in the KP Assembly. However, in the distribution of reserved seats, PML-N was allotted only eight seats, while JUI-F received ten, including one minority seat.

The petitioner claimed that PML-N was unfairly deprived of at least one women’s reserved seat, and also raised objections over the allocation of the minority seat to JUI-F.

➤ Call to Suspend Oath-Taking

The lawyer requested the court to suspend the oath-taking of members elected on reserved seats until a verdict is reached on the petition.

➤ Election Commission’s Plea Rejected

The ECP's lawyer informed the bench that a similar case filed by the Awami National Party (ANP) had already been transferred to Bench No. 3, and urged the court to move the current case there as well.

While the court accepted the request to transfer the case, it rejected the ECP’s plea for a three-day extension and directed the ECP to file its response by tomorrow (Tuesday).

The development adds to the growing scrutiny of how reserved seats are allocated in the KP Assembly, with multiple parties raising concerns over the transparency and proportionality of the process.

 
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