PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has issued an order to temporarily halt the oath-taking of members elected on reserved seats after hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P), challenging the allocation of reserved seats in the provincial assembly.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal heard the case. During the proceedings, the court issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed that no oath be administered to members selected on reserved seats until the next hearing.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Sultan Muhammad Khan, the Election Commission did not correctly calculate the distribution of reserved seats. He argued that PTI-P currently holds two general seats in the provincial assembly but was allotted only one reserved seat for women, which, he claimed, is not in accordance with proportional representation.
“Based on the party’s position in the assembly, PTI-P is entitled to at least two women’s reserved seats and one minority seat,” Advocate Sultan contended before the bench. He further requested the court to prevent the ECP from administering the oath to any candidates appointed to the disputed seats until the matter is resolved.
The court accepted the plea for interim relief and instructed that no oath be taken from any members selected for reserved seats until further orders.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing, with the court emphasising that the matter requires careful legal consideration, especially concerning the proper interpretation of proportional representation and seat allocation under the constitution.
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