ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the largest party in the Punjab Assembly following the restoration of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The reallocation has significantly increased the party’s representation in the provincial legislature.
PML-N Seat Count Increases
According to official figures, the number of PML-N lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly has risen from 206 to 229. This includes a notable increase in reserved seats for women, which went up from 36 to 57, and an increase in minority seats from 5 to 7.
Revised Party Positions in Punjab Assembly
The ECP’s allocation of reserved seats has impacted the composition of several parties in the 371-member Punjab Assembly. The updated party standings are as follows:
| Party | Previous Members | Current Members |
| PML-N | 206 | 229 |
| PPP | 14 | 16 |
| PML-Q | 10 | 11 |
| Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party | 6 | 7 |
| Sunni Ittehad Council | — | 76 |
| PTI | — | 27 |
| Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan | — | 1 |
| Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen | — | 1 |
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) increased its women’s seats from 3 to 4 and secured one minority seat. PML-Q’s women’s representation rose from 2 to 3, while IPP’s count increased from 1 to 2.
Currently, 369 out of 371 seats are occupied. One independent member has yet to take oath, and one seat remains vacant pending a by-election.
Supreme Court Ruling and Broader Impact
The seat restoration follows the Supreme Court’s June 27 ruling, which directed the reinstatement of reserved seats for women and minorities in both national and provincial assemblies. The Election Commission has implemented this ruling in full.
As a result, the ruling coalition in the National Assembly now holds 232 out of 333 occupied seats, exceeding the two-thirds majority threshold of 224. This majority allows the coalition to pass constitutional amendments without opposition support.
National Assembly Composition
The PML-N also leads in the National Assembly with 123 seats, followed by:
* Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP): 74
* Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM): 22
* Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP): 4
* PML-Q: 5
* BAP, National Party, and Muslim League-Zia: 1 each
* One independent member
The opposition holds a total of 98 seats, including:
* Sunni Ittehad Council: 80
* Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F): 10
* PTI-backed independents: 5
* One seat each for BNP, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), and PkMAP
The restored reserved seats have reshaped the legislative landscape in both Punjab and the National Assembly. With expanded representation, particularly for women and minorities, the PML-N has consolidated its lead in Punjab and reaffirmed its dominant role in the federal legislature.
