'Independent candidates can't be given reserved seats,' Azam on SC's ruling

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Friday the independent candidates cannot be allocated reserved seats after the Supreme Court (SC) has announced its verdict. 

Speaking to Samaa TV, Tarar said that the legal and constitutional position was now clarified. “Today’s decision is a review of the High Court’s earlier ruling,” he said. “Justice Jamal has upheld his prior stance, and the verdict has been issued with a majority of nine judges.”

Tarar said that the same formula would apply to reserved seats in provincial assemblies. “Legal decisions must be made on a constitutional basis,” he said.

Also Read: Supreme Court divides PTI's reserved seats among ruling parties

He reiterated that only political parties participating in the general elections are entitled to reserved seats. “Independent candidates do not qualify for such positions,” he clarified. He further criticised the PTI for avoiding internal elections, stating that it had been a deliberate choice.

Referring to the PTI’s internal affairs, Tarar remarked, “Their chairman had publicly claimed to contest as an independent. They themselves paved the way for receiving nothing.”

On the other side, speaking to Samaa TV, adviser to the prime minister, Rana Sanaullah stated that the coalition government had been given the opportunity to stabilise the economy. “God has granted us success in this just struggle,” he said, adding, “This is the third major success for the coalition.”

He emphasised that the democratic process resides in the parliament and provincial assemblies, not in the streets. “Courts issue rulings in accordance with the law,” he said. “The High Court interpreted the matter correctly, and today the Supreme Court has affirmed that interpretation,” he maintained.

Sanaullah said that reserved seats could not be granted to a political party that was no longer present in parliament. “How can a party that holds no representation in the House claim reserved seats?” he questioned. Responding to the PTI’s criticism, he said, “If they wish to protest, they are free to do so, but they should also reflect upon their own conduct.”

Following the court’s verdict, he stated, the coalition now stands close to securing a two-thirds majority in the House.