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

ISLAMABAD: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Pakistan's Constitutional Bench on Friday rejected the plea filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)—backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—seeking allocation of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies based on its general seats.

The short verdict was issued after 17 hearings, effectively overturning the apex court’s previous ruling and reinstating the decision of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), which had directed that reserved seats be distributed among other political parties.

The decision, delivered by a seven-member majority of the 11-judge bench, was announced by Justice Aminuddin Khan, who presided over the bench.

The majority included Justices Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Shahid Bilal, Hashim Kakar, Amir Farooq, and Ali Baqar Najafi.

The court also instructed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to rehear the applications of 80 PTI-backed candidates who had contested the February 8 general elections as independents and later joined the SIC.

Read more: SIC to move SC against PHC verdict on reserved seats, says PTI chief

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar recused himself from the bench on the final day of the hearing, citing the need to review his brief opinion.

The original 13-member Constitutional Bench, formed in May, was reduced in number after Justices Ayesha A. Malik and Aqeel Abbasi withdrew, deeming the review petitions inadmissible.

The controversy began after more than 80 PTI-backed independents secured general seats in the February elections. On February 21, the Sunni Ittehad Council filed an application with the ECP requesting the allocation of reserved seats.

However, the ECP rejected the request in a 4-1 decision on March 4, citing PTI's failure to submit a party list for reserved seats.