The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has emerged as the dominant political force in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, propelled by a significant influx of independent members.
Following the recent general elections, the political landscape of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly underwent a seismic shift as a substantial number of independent lawmakers rallied behind the Sunni Ittehad Council. With an unprecedented alliance of 90 independent members, the SIC now commands a commanding presence within the assembly, solidifying its position as the leading political entity.
This surge in support has positioned the SIC favorably to secure a substantial majority of the 26 reserved seats for women, with expectations high that they will claim all four reserved seats for minorities.
In contrast, other major political parties in the assembly have also witnessed changes in their fortunes. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has seen a modest increase in its representation with the addition of three independent members, elevating its total count to eight seats. Similarly, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) is set to secure two seats for women, consolidating its representation in the assembly to seven seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), with four members, is expected to secure one seat for women.
This political realignment underscores a significant power shift within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, with the Sunni Ittehad Council emerging as a potent force to be reckoned with. The inclusion of independent members has not only bolstered the party’s representation but also holds the potential to influence policy decisions and legislative initiatives in the province.
It’s noteworthy that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which had fielded independent candidates in the general elections due to the Supreme Court’s decision to strip its electoral symbol bat, secured 87 seats in the KP assembly. Three independent candidates later joined the PTI ranks. To secure reserved seats, PTI formed an alliance with SIC across the country, further solidifying the SIC’s position as a leading political force.
