Attorney General of Pakistan challenges Sunni Ittehad Council's eligibility

The Attorney General of Pakistan has recently submitted a written response to the Supreme Court regarding the case of reserved seats, particularly focusing on the issue of the Sunni Ittehad Council's eligibility to enter assemblies through unconventional means. The AGP strongly argued against the SIC's appeal for reserved seats, advocating for upholding the decision of the Peshawar High Court.

According to the AGP's stance, reserved seats for minorities and women should be allocated to political parties based on their performance in elections. The AGP emphasized that independent candidates could only be considered for reserved seats if they affiliated with a political party within three days of the election results being published in the official Gazette.

The AGP pointed out that the SIC did not participate in the general elections as a political party and failed to submit a list of candidates for reserved seats. Granting the SIC access to reserved seats, as per the AGP, would establish a risky precedent and undermine the democratic process.

In response to the AGP's submission, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intervened in the case, alleging unfair treatment by the Election Commission of Pakistan in denying reserved seats to the PTI-SIC alliance. The PTI contended that independent candidates who joined the SIC post-election and won seats should be eligible for reserved seats.

The Supreme Court has taken action by suspending the PHC verdict on the matter and referring it to a larger bench for constitutional interpretation. Additionally, the Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the SIC ineligible for reserved seats due to its exclusion of non-Muslims from the party.

The case of reserved seats in Pakistan has sparked a significant legal debate, with various stakeholders presenting contrasting viewpoints. The Supreme Court's decision to further examine the matter underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair representation for all segments of society in the country's legislative bodies.