Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Administers Oath to 25 Reserved Seat MPAs Amid Political Turmoil

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On July 20, 2025, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi swore in 25 Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) on reserved seats for women and minorities, a move that resolved a heated standoff threatening the upcoming Senate elections. The ceremony, held at Governor House in Peshawar, followed a Peshawar High Court (PHC) directive after the provincial assembly session collapsed due to a lack of quorum, exposing deep political rifts and strategic maneuvering by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The oath-taking saga began when the KP Assembly, led by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, convened to swear in 21 women and four minority MPAs from opposition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). The session, delayed by over two hours, was derailed when PTI’s Sher Ali Afridi raised a quorum objection, prompting Swati to adjourn until July 24. PML-N’s Sobia Shahid sharply criticized the tactic, stating, “You’ve been making a joke out of this province for a year.” PPP’s Ahmad Karim Kundi invoked Article 255 of the Constitution, insisting the oath was mandatory, but only 25 lawmakers were present, forcing the adjournment.

Frustrated, opposition parties petitioned the PHC, which promptly appointed Governor Kundi to administer the oaths under Articles 65 and 255(2). The ceremony ensured the KP Assembly reached its full 145-member strength, enabling the Senate polls for 11 seats to proceed on July 21. However, PTI’s boycott, driven by internal dissent over Senate ticket distribution, cast a shadow. Law Minister Aftab Alam admitted, “Our lawmakers are unhappy and chose not to attend,” revealing cracks in PTI’s unity. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to challenge the Governor House oath-taking, arguing it violated Article 65’s requirement for assembly-floor oaths.

This episode underscores the volatile political landscape in KP, where PTI’s dominance faces opposition resilience and judicial intervention. Governor Kundi condemned PTI’s tactics as a “mockery of democracy,” while the opposition eyes leverage in the Senate vote. As KP navigates these twists, the clash between constitutional duty and political strategy remains stark, with the public’s trust hanging in the balance.