PESHAWAR: Following a recent Supreme Court ruling, a major shift has emerged in the political landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The verdict paves the way for the long-pending allocation of reserved seats, significantly strengthening the opposition’s position in the provincial assembly.
According to details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has 21 reserved seats for women and 4 for minorities. The court decision has cleared the path for the distribution of these seats, and the opposition parties are expected to gain a clear advantage.
As per Assembly website the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) are expected to receive 7 women’s seats each, while the Pakistan Peoples Party is likely to get 4. The Awami National Party (ANP) and PTI Parliamentarians may receive one seat each in return for every two of their members. One remaining women’s seat will be decided by the Election Commission.
Out of the four reserved seats for minorities, it is expected that two will go to PML-N and two to JUI-F. Currently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) holds 58 seats in the provincial assembly, while the opposition commands 27. With the addition of reserved seats, the opposition could gain 25 more members, raising their total to 52.
Interestingly, 35 members are still listed as independents. Should the majority of these independents align with the opposition, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s government may face serious political pressure—and possibly even a threat to its survival.
Analysts believe this development could dramatically reshape the political scenario in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the opposition appearing more empowered and active than ever before.
Read also: Reserved seats verdict: Who gains what in KP assembly?
