The Supreme Court of Pakistan is currently deliberating on the allocation of reserved seats for women and non-Muslims, following appeals by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) against previous decisions by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Peshawar High Court (PHC). The court’s decision, which is expected to be announced later this week, will address how reserved seats are allocated to parliamentary parties under the proportional representation system.
Key points of the case include:
- Proportional Representation System: The SIC argues that under this system, it is not mandatory for a party to have contested general elections to be allocated reserved seats.
- ECP and PHC Decisions: Both had previously denied reserved seats to the SIC, citing legal requirements such as the submission of party lists before elections.
- Legal and Constitutional Interpretations: The court’s ruling will clarify the interpretation of Articles 51 and 106 concerning proportional representation and the requirements for submitting candidate lists.
- Historic Significance: The decision is anticipated to have long-lasting implications on the future allocation of reserved seats in Pakistan’s legislative bodies.
The outcome is expected to be significant, with potential for split opinions among the judges, reflecting the complexity and importance of the matter.
