SC turns down plea seeking increase in minority seats in parliament

Top court says it does not have constitutional mandate to issue such directive to parliament

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking an increase in the number of seats reserved for minorities in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, heard the petition.

The apex court, in its ruling, said a constitutional amendment was required for the purpose, and that it could not order parliament to do so.

The counsel for the petitioner adopted the view that since there had been a massive increase in the country’s population in recent years, therefore, the parliament be ordered to increase the number of minorities’ seats not only in the National Assembly but also in the four provincial assemblies.

Also read: A breakdown of reserved seats for women, minorities in NA

Justice Ahsan wondered how could the court order parliament to introduce an amendment in the Constitution.

The apex court upheld an earlier verdict of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and said that the top court did not have a constitutional mandate to issue such a directive to parliament.

The top court held that a constitutional amendment was required to increase the seats in assemblies, adding that this prerogative only rested with parliament.