On July 16, 2025, Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP) ruled that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) could claim an additional reserved seat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly.
The ECP’s decision followed the inclusion of an independent candidate who joined the PML-N within the legal timeframe. However, the ECP rejected similar requests from the PTI-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) and the Awami National Party (ANP), citing constitutional limitations to prevent ongoing recalculations. The ruling is based on an order from the Peshawar High Court and aims to finalise seat allocations according to notifications issued on February 22, 2024. As a result, the PML-N now matches the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) in terms of general seats, thereby qualifying for one additional reserved seat.
The ECP accepted PML-N’s request after independent candidate Malik Tariq Awan from PK-103 joined the party on February 23, 2024, one day after his victory notification. Under Article 51(6)(e) and Article 106 of the Constitution, independents have three days to join a party for seat quota calculations. This boosts the PML-N’s overall seats, making it eligible for an additional reserved seat for women or non-Muslims. PML-N now equals JUI-F’s seat count. The quota uses the February 22 position, but Awan’s timely join allowed recalculation without violating timelines.
PML-N now has the same number of seats as JUI-F, making it eligible for another reserved seat. https://t.co/ila5dTeHTr
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) July 16, 2025PTI-P won two KP general seats, but the second (PK-103) was notified on February 27, after reserved seat allocation. The ECP rejected recalculation, stating it would create an “unending process” if adjusted for recounts, by-elections, or tribunals. This aligns with Articles 51(6) and 106, as well as Sections 98 and 104 of the Elections Act, 2017.
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The order noted: “If a political party succeeds in getting more seats as a result of recounting or by-election or decision of the tribunal, the quota will be revised again and again.”
ANP secured one general seat (PK-75) on February 22, 2024, and another (PK-22) via a by-election on July 11, which was notified on July 25. The ECP denied inclusion, as quotas are based on initial general elections, not by-elections. Per Article 224(2) and Section 98, recalculating would result in fluctuations.
