Political Developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On Sunday, twenty-five members of the opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) were sworn into office following an oath-taking ceremony led by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. This event marked a significant development in the political landscape of the province, especially after a recent Supreme Court verdict that redistributed reserved seats and invalidated the previous allocation.
The oath-taking process has been a point of contention, with the opposition claiming that the government failed to honor a prior agreement. According to the governor, a 6-5 formula was agreed upon, where the opposition candidates would withdraw from certain contests. However, this arrangement faced challenges when the PTI leader, Imran Khan, reportedly made a decision that disrupted the agreement. The governor questioned how the PTI could claim control over its MPAs if its Senate candidates were not under its influence.
Oath-Taking and Quorum Issues
The swearing-in ceremony was preceded by a session of the KP Assembly, which had been called by the government. The session aimed to swear in the 25 MPAs-elect on reserved seats for women and minorities. However, the session faced delays due to a lack of quorum, leading to its adjournment until July 24. The issue of quorum became a major point of contention, with opposition lawmakers challenging the government’s actions.
During the session, MPA Sher Ali Afridi of the ruling PTI raised concerns about the absence of a quorum, prompting the assembly to adjourn. PML-N’s Sobia Shahid countered that the lack of quorum should not be an obstacle, suggesting that the government was undermining the democratic process. The speaker of the assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, ruled that only 25 lawmakers were present, which did not meet the required quorum.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
In response to the ongoing disputes, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to seek intervention. The court accepted the ECP’s request and directed Governor Kundi to administer the oaths to the MPAs-elect as soon as possible. The court emphasized the need for proper procedures to be followed, ensuring that all records were maintained accurately.
Following the court’s directive, the governor administered the oaths to the MPAs at 6pm. This move was seen as a critical step in resolving the impasse and allowing the opposition to take their rightful place in the assembly.
Impact on Senate Elections
The administration of oaths has also impacted the upcoming Senate elections, which are scheduled for the following day. The ECP adjusted the timing of the elections, moving it from 9am to 11am. The opposition now holds a total of 52 lawmakers in the KP Assembly, with the JUI-F and PML-N each securing 17 seats, while the PPP holds 10 seats.
The PTI treasury and the joint opposition alliance had previously agreed on a seat-sharing formula, with six seats allocated to the treasury and five to the opposition. However, the current situation has raised questions about the legitimacy of the process, with some critics arguing that the oath-taking at the Governor’s House contradicts constitutional provisions.
Political Tensions and Future Steps
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has expressed concerns about the oath-taking at the Governor’s House, stating that it violates Article 65 of the Constitution. He clarified that the speaker of the assembly did not refuse to administer the oath but that the session was adjourned due to a lack of quorum.
Gandapur also indicated that his party will take action against “disgruntled” Senate election candidates, emphasizing that rejecting Imran Khan’s decisions is a defiance of his leadership. He added that the alliance with the opposition is temporary, lasting only until the Senate elections.
By-Election in Punjab
Meanwhile, a by-election for a vacant Senate seat in Punjab is set to take place on Monday, July 21, 2025. The seat became vacant following the passing of Senator Sajid Mir. The polling will be conducted at the Punjab Assembly Hall, with the Provincial Election Commissioner serving as the returning officer. All MPAs are required to bring their official identification cards to participate in the voting process, which will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM without interruption.
