In a significant political move ahead of the Upper House elections, the government and opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have almost finalized an agreement on a power-sharing mechanism to run uncontested candidates across all 11 Senate seats from the province.
An official announcement of the agreement is anticipated shortly, according to sources. The innovation is intended to prevent horse-trading and guarantee a calm election process for the July 21 Senate elections.
Finalized power-sharing formula
According to the established formula:
- The administration will hold four of the seven general seats, while the opposition will hold three.
- The administration and opposition will each receive one of the two technocrat seats.
- The administration and opposition will each be given one of the two female seats.
- The opposition will win 5 seats overall, while the government will win 6.
The leader of the opposition affirms agreement
Dr. Ibad, the leader of the opposition, affirmed that both parties had approved the formula. “Our plan has been approved by the government. A official announcement would be made shortly, he added, adding that some concerns about specific individuals had also been allayed.
He underlined that the deal fosters political maturity and collaboration by sending a “positive message” from the province.
The distribution of reserved seats is concluded.
The provincial assembly’s reserved seats have been distributed in advance of the Senate vote. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have shown increasing collaboration.
Baba Gorpal Singh won because the PML-N gave the minority seat to the JUI-F as a show of goodwill without holding a coin toss.
Shahida Waheed of the ANP won the women’s reserved seat in a toss between the ANP and PTIP.
July 20 assembly session
The summary to call the KP Assembly session on Sunday, July 20 at 9am, where newly elected members from the PML-N, JUI-F, and PPP on reserved seats would take their oaths, has been signed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. In this regard, the KP Assembly Secretariat has released an official notification.
Revised composition of the assembly
The provincial assembly’s current strength is as follows:
- 51 independents supported by the PTI
- JUI-F: currently the second-largest party, with 18 members
- 17 members of the PML-N
- PPP: ten participants
- ANP: four participants
- Three members of the Parliamentary Party (PTI)
- Two additional independents
The fact that the Leader of the Opposition is still a member of the PML-N despite their numerical advantage shows solidarity within the larger opposition coalition.
