PML-N challenges Supreme Court decision on reserved seats

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has formally lodged a review petition with the Supreme Court (SC), contesting a recent decision concerning the allocation of reserved seats in national and provincial legislatures.

The petition, now designated as number 312, has been forwarded to the judges committee on practice and procedure.

Read more: PTI gets reserved seats; decisions of PHC and ECP set aside by the Supreme Court

It is expected to be heard in approximately two months. The scheduling decision aims to ensure the availability of all judges, as some may be abroad during the court recess.

The initiative follows the Supreme Court’s July 12 ruling that allocated reserved legislative seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Meanwhile, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif stated he intended to confer with leaders from allied parties such as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal’s (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P), Awami National Party (ANP), and allied parties from Balochistan to devise a “collective response”.

While the PPP initially opposed PML-N’s decision to seek ban on PTI, it later came around. The Bilawal-led party is now supporting decisions made by the PML-N-led government, including the ban on PTI and the initiation of article 6 proceedings against key PTI leaders.

Meanwhile, PTI is pressing for immediate issuance of notifications for the allocation of reserved seats, warning that any delay could provoke a backlash against the government.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking after a joint parliamentary meeting, criticised the government for hesitating to implement the SC’s decisions, especially regarding reserved seats. He stated it was important to comply with the court’s rulings to avoid further conflict with the judiciary.

Read more: SC verdict on reserved seats: Nawaz Sharif to consult allies

PTI leaders, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz also called for the chief election commissioner’s resignation following the court’s decision favouring PTI’s reserved seat allocation. They described the ruling as a restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, amid escalating tensions within the government and speculation about its future beyond the next 18 months.

PTI members discussed these issues and staged a protest outside Parliament.