ECP restores 74 reserved seats after SC verdict

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reinstated reserved seats in the National Assembly and all four provincial legislatures.

The move comes directly after a Supreme Court decision issued on June 27, 2025. The court resolved several review petitions challenging earlier cancellations.

The ECP restored a total of 74 reserved seats. These include 19 in the National Assembly, 25 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 27 in the Punjab Assembly, and 3 in Sindh. The decision alters the political balance significantly, especially for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

With the court’s decision, the ECP also canceled two previous notifications. These were issued on July 24 and July 29, 2024, and had stripped PTI of multiple reserved seats.

Now, PTI gains back those seats, improving its representation. Candidates who lost their positions can return, giving the party more strength in both national and provincial assemblies.

Read more: PPP, PML-N to get SIC reserved seats, rules SC

The ECP acted quickly. Officials confirmed the restoration aligns with the court’s ruling. Legal experts say the original de-seating lacked strong constitutional backing.

The Supreme Court supported PTI’s appeals. Judges ruled that the removal of reserved seats must follow strict legal procedures. The court emphasized the importance of due process in electoral matters.

After the ruling, the ECP updated its stance. The commission published a fresh list of elected members, including those on reserved seats. PTI’s restored seats help the party reclaim lost ground.

This decision changes legislative dynamics. Several bills now face different voting outcomes due to the shift in numbers.