ISLAMABAD, May 26 (Alliance News): The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has questioned the eligibility of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to claim reserved seats, asserting that independent candidates cannot join a political party that is not part of Parliament or did not contest the elections.
During a live-streamed hearing on Monday, the 11-member bench led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan grilled SIC’s position, stating that reserved seats are constitutionally linked to parties that contest elections and secure representation through direct votes.
Justice Musarrat Hilali inquired whether SIC even participated in the 2024 general elections, while Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail said plainly that SIC was not entitled to claim the seats.
Senior lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan, representing de-notified women MNAs, argued that members were removed without due notice, and that Article 225 of the Constitution—which restricts election disputes to tribunals—had been bypassed.
The bench, however, noted that Article 225 may not apply in this case as it involves proportional representation, not direct election disputes.
The legal wrangle stems from the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on July 12, 2024, which reinstated 39 PTI-backed MNAs and if fully implemented, would make PTI the largest party in the National Assembly.
Yet, implementation of the ruling has stalled, with review petitions filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PML-N, and PPP. The ECP has also delayed the notification of the reinstated members, prompting sharp criticism from the judiciary.
In its detailed verdict, authored by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the apex court slammed the ECP for “numerous unlawful acts and omissions” that harmed PTI and undermined the electoral process. The judgment called out the ECP for failing in its duty to act as an impartial and responsible electoral body.
The hearing has been adjourned until Tuesday, with the SIC’s counsel directed to present arguments.
