ECP yet to resolve allocation issue of reserved seats for SIC

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has yet to resolve the allocation of reserved seats for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in both the national and provincial assemblies.

On Tuesday, the ECP is set to hear four petitions regarding this issue, with a notice already issued to the SIC for the hearing.

As anticipation builds regarding the ECP’s decision on the remaining reserved seats, the commission has announced that a five-member bench will hold an open hearing on the matter tomorrow.

Notices have been sent to several individuals, including Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mahmood Khan, Maulvi Iqbal Haider, and Kunz-us-Saadat.

This development comes after reports surfaced that President Alvi has refused to sign a Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs summary seeking the convening of a National Assembly session.

President Alvi’s position is that the allocation of the remaining reserved seats must be addressed before the NA session is summoned, as mandated by the Constitution to take place within 21 days of the elections.

In response to President Alvi’s refusal, outgoing National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has purportedly decided to call for the inaugural session of the new lower house of parliament on February 29, according to reliable sources on Monday.