The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has restored 74 reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies, a major move that may shift the political landscape. These seats had remained vacant due to legal disputes and constitutional ambiguities that followed the 2024 general elections. The decision now allows representation for women and minorities who are allotted these seats through party nominations, not direct elections.
After months of political debate and court proceedings, the ECP has finally acted, citing the need for completing the assemblies and ensuring fair representation. Many political parties had filed petitions, either for inclusion or exclusion of certain seats, especially where party defections, splits, or mergers created confusion over rightful claims. The restoration applies across the National Assembly and the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan assemblies.
This development is expected to impact parliamentary strength. Parties that had earlier been short of majority or coalition numbers may now gain ground, depending on how the ECP allocates these seats. Smaller parties and groups representing minorities and women, who rely on reserved quotas for representation, have welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward democratic fairness.
Analysts believe the restoration will help stabilize legislative proceedings, which have suffered due to the absence of full membership. Several bills were delayed or blocked because of unclear majorities. With the reinstated seats, parliamentary activities may return to normal pace, though political tension remains high among major rivals.
Overall, the ECP’s decision is being seen as a turning point in post-election recovery and may define the balance of power in the assemblies for the coming years. How parties use these restored seats will be closely watched in the evolving political environment.