PTI Submits Candidates List for Reserved Seats, Retains Secrecy over Details

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted a list of candidates for reserved seats in the National and provincial assemblies to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). However, details of the candidates remain undisclosed. This development follows the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the party's eligibility for these seats.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted a list of candidates for reserved seats for women and minorities in the National Assembly and three provincial assemblies to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday. However, the party has kept the details of the candidates under wraps, according to a report by Pakistan-based Dawn.

The submission came a day after the ECP partially implemented a Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats for the PTI. The court's order saw the ECP notifying 39 out of 80 returned MNAs as PTI lawmakers after a significant delay. Additionally, the PTI provided signed statements from 41 independent MNAs affirming they had contested the general elections on February 8 as PTI candidates, Dawn cited sources saying.

The Supreme Court ruled on July 12 that the PTI is eligible for reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the National and provincial assemblies. This ruling reinstated the PTI's status as a parliamentary party. According to the order, the remaining 41 independent MNAs must submit duly signed and notarised statements to the ECP within 15 days, clarifying their affiliation as PTI candidates.

Despite the submission, PTI spokesman Shoaib Shaheen confirmed the lists had been given to the ECP but added they are held by Kanwal Shauzab. PTI Islamabad office bearer Aamir Mughal also indicated he could not provide member names. Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser expressed unawareness of any lists being submitted to the ECP.

The apex court's move to suspend the Peshawar High Court's decision against the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) led to the ECP suspending the victory notifications of 77 members elected on reserved seats, which will now be allocated to PTI. The suspended lawmakers include 22 National Assembly members elected on reserved seats. The precise number of women and minorities nominated by PTI remains uncertain, as parties typically submit more names than required, listed by preference.

A PTI insider told Dawn that the details were deliberately kept confidential to avoid potential internal conflicts, as there could be dissatisfaction among those excluded or not prioritized on these lists.