SC reserves verdict in SIC reserved seats case

 

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The chief justice pressed for clarity on the ECP's adherence to constitutional texts in their decision-making processes, asking, "Was the Election Commission's decision regarding reserved seats for the Balochistan Awami Party under the law?"

To which the SIC's counsel responded that the ECP had not conducted a transparent allocation process for reserved seats, as he cited precedents and legal texts to support his arguments.

"Did the Balochistan Awami Party participate in the elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa?" asked Justice Irfan Saadat.

Advocate Siddiqui clarified that the Balochistan Awami Party participated but did not win any seats.

"Political parties cannot be arbitrarily denied their rightful share of representation," CJP Isa remarked.

CJ Jamal Khan Mandokhail queried, "Is the Election Commission treating all political entities equally in terms of seat allocation?"

The court noted that there is a distinction between political parties and parliamentary decisions made within Parliament.

"Political parties do not have the authority to make such decisions," Justice Jamal Mandokhail emphasized while noting that parliamentary parties are not bound to follow political decisions.

He continued, "Just as the prime minister cannot vote, parliamentary parties are not bound to implement political party decisions."