PHC forms larger bench to hear SIC’s plea seeking reserve seats

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) constituted a five-member larger bench to hear a plea filed by the Sunni Union Council (SIC) seeking allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities, ARY News reported.

According to the details, the PHC bench comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Justice Aijaz Anwer, Justice SM Atiq, Justice Shakeel Ahmed, and Justice Syed Arshad Ali would take up the plea on Thursday at 12noon.

Earlier in the day, the PHC restrained newly notified members on reserved seats from taking an oath while issuing a stay-order on the SIC’s petition. The PHC also issued notices to the ECP and other respondents.

The SIC approached the PHC against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict of not allotting it reserved seats in the National and provincial assemblies.

The ECP on Tuesday notified the allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities, which were claimed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to other political parties.

Read More: PHC grants SIC plea, restrains oath taking on reserved seats

The move came a day after the electoral body rejected the SIC petition, seeking the allocation of reserved seats following a merger with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Following the allocation of reserved seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) became the largest parliamentary party in the National Assembly (NA) with 123 seats followed by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) with 82 seats. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto-led Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) managed to secure 73 seats.