The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday delivered a landmark judgement declaring Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party eligible for seats reserved for women and minorities. This verdict is a significant setback for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition.
The 13-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, announced the decision. The court had reserved its verdict a day earlier after concluding hearings on appeals submitted by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
In March, the SIC filed a petition demanding the reallocation of 77 seats for women and minorities, which had initially been allotted to PM Shehbaz’s coalition following the February 8 general elections. However, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) both dismissed the council’s appeal, deeming it ineligible for the reserved seats.
The SIC, led by party chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, then petitioned the Supreme Court in April, seeking to overturn the PHC judgment. On May 6, the Supreme Court suspended both the PHC and ECP decisions, temporarily halting the allocation of the reserved seats.
Friday’s verdict nullified the PHC ruling and declared the ECP’s decision “against the Constitution of Pakistan.” The judgement was based on a majority decision by eight judges, including Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.
PTI members celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision. The party’s official social media account demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja for allegedly violating the Constitution.
PTI leader and former finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra congratulated Imran Khan and PTI supporters, stating, “We are on the right side of history, as difficult as that may be. The fight will go on,” while also raising concerns about the ECP’s intentions.
Fawad Chaudhry, another PTI stalwart, echoed these sentiments, calling for the chief election commissioner’s resignation. He asserted that the PTI should “demand ECP resignation after SCP has now officially charge-sheeted ECP.”
Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari also celebrated the verdict, praising the clarity of the majority’s decision. She remarked, “Justice served, but all the minority opinions incl [sic] the one CJP read out sounded confused at best unlike the clarity of the majority 8 mbr [sic] order!”
Acting President PTI Punjab Hammad Azhar commended the “eight principled judges” for their courage despite intense pressure. He urged the release of Imran Khan and other PTI leaders, calling for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Pakistan.
Party spokesman Raoof Hassan congratulated the PTI, praising the Supreme Court for “breaking the barriers of intimidation.” He expressed optimism about Imran Khan’s future leadership, stating, “This is only the beginning of a long haul till we reach the final destination when Imran Khan shall take over as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Soon, very soon.”