PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly rejected the Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding the allocation of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies, calling the decision “unconstitutional, unjust, and politically motivated.” In a forceful response, Barrister Gohar announced that PTI will launch a series of public protests and legal actions to oppose the verdict.
On June 27, the Supreme Court ruled that PTI is not eligible to claim reserved seats for women and minorities due to its loss of official party status following the 2024 elections. The court maintained that PTI’s lack of a parliamentary presence under a unified electoral symbol disqualified it from being awarded reserved seats. As a result, these seats will now be allocated to other opposition parties, primarily the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), significantly shifting the balance of power—especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
Speaking to the media shortly after the verdict, Barrister Gohar condemned the decision in strong terms. He said, “This ruling is not just a blow to PTI—it is a direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan. We won these seats through the people’s mandate. Denying us reserved seats is denying the will of the people.” He added that the Supreme Court had failed to uphold democratic principles and accused the judiciary of being influenced by political considerations. Gohar emphasized that PTI will not remain silent and will launch a country-wide protest movement to highlight what he described as a “judicial injustice.”
PTI leaders have confirmed that peaceful protests will be held across major cities, starting with rallies in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi in the coming days. The party also intends to challenge the ruling through review petitions in court and by raising the issue on national and international forums. Gohar stated, “We will fight this battle on every front—legal, political, and public. This isn’t about PTI alone; it’s about saving Pakistan’s democracy.” PTI’s social media teams have also begun mobilizing supporters using the hashtag #RestoreDemocracy and #ReservedSeatsForPTI, urging citizens to join what they are calling a “constitutional resistance.”
The Supreme Court’s decision has far-reaching consequences, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the allocation of reserved seats could tip the balance in favor of the opposition. With the inclusion of newly awarded reserved seats, opposition parties in KP could close the gap significantly with the PTI-led government. This puts pressure on Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, whose administration may now face the risk of losing its majority—especially if a large number of independent lawmakers decide to align with the opposition. Political analysts suggest that the ruling has injected fresh momentum into opposition parties while leaving PTI with limited legislative options.
PTI’s supporters have voiced outrage on social media, while some legal experts have expressed concerns about the broader implications for electoral justice and party rights. However, pro-government voices argue that the verdict merely enforces the constitutional requirement that only officially recognized parties with parliamentary presence can claim reserved seats.
PTI’s reaction to the Supreme Court ruling marks a new phase in Pakistan’s post-election political crisis. With protests on the horizon and legal challenges underway, the political temperature in the country is expected to rise sharply in the coming weeks. Whether PTI can leverage public sentiment and judicial review to reverse this setback remains to be seen.
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