(Tribune International, Report by Syed Atiq ul Hassan, 12 July 2024): In a landmark decision, eight out of thirteen members of the full bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan have recognized
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the largest political party in the country and declared it eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities. This ruling will not only increase PTI’s representation in the parliament but also challenge the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government in securing a two-thirds majority.
The decision weakens the PDM government’s ability to pass new constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority. It complicates their arrangement with Justice Qazi Faez Isa, aimed at achieving a two-thirds majority to grant an extension to his tenure, which is set to end in October 2024.
This victory for PTI is seen as the first step towards the potential release of Imran Khan and the formation of a government reflecting the mandate given by the people of Pakistan.
Following the announcement of the Supreme Court’s decision, PTI workers and lawyers took to the streets, shouting and celebrating the victory. They paid tribute to the courage of the eight judges who bravely and fair justice made the decision in the democratic honour of PTI, acknowledging it as the largest party in Pakistan. PTI’s first-line leadership expressed hope that Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year facing what they describe as fake cases, will be released soon.
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