Supreme Court Accepts Review Petitions in Reserved Seats Case, PTI Loses Claim

Islamabad – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has accepted the review petitions filed in the reserved seats case, annulling its earlier judgment dated July 12. The court has restored the decision of the Peshawar High Court, effectively ruling that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not be entitled to the reserved seats.
A short order is expected to be issued later today, as indicated by Justice Aminuddin, who advised, “Wait for the short verdict, it will be announced today.”
The decision was made by a majority of a seven-member bench. As per the revised ruling, reserved seats will now be distributed among other political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Hasan Azhar Rizvi also partially accepted the review petitions.
Earlier in the proceedings, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan argued that the 80 candidates in question had previously shown intent to join the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM). He noted that had they joined MWM, which had won one seat, they could have rightfully claimed the reserved seats.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked, “If only they had consulted you.” The Attorney General responded, “Had they joined MWM, this would not have been a case of public mandate.”
PTI leader Kanwal Shauzab appeared before the bench, where Justice Aminuddin questioned her decision to join the Sunni Ittehad Council instead of remaining with PTI. Shauzab responded that PTI’s election symbol was revoked on December 24.
During the hearing, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar recused himself from the bench over objections raised by senior lawyer Hamid Khan, who was sternly admonished by the bench. Justice Aminuddin noted, “This is not commendable. A party is not entitled to two lawyers arguing the same point.”
Justice Mandokhail made a candid admission during proceedings, stating, “I acknowledge we stretched our jurisdiction in this case. If we had stayed within bounds, we wouldn’t be facing today’s complications.”
He also emphasized that the short order will take precedence, and that reasons will follow later in the detailed verdict. “A short order is always brief. If there’s an error in our earlier decision, we will correct it. But I cannot alter a judgment just because I disagree with my fellow judges,” Mandokhail remarked.
He concluded that the Court prioritized public interest over any single party’s stance and pointed out that PTI had never officially claimed reserved seats at any forum—including the Election Commission, High Court, or the Supreme Court.