PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar has said that if PTI-backed independents joined Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), they wouldn’t have to go through the Election Commission of Pakistan’s scrutiny for reserved seats.

“If they joined PkMAP […] who already has representation in the house, they wouldn’t have to go through the ECP,” he said while speaking on a Geo News programme.

“The Constitution states that reserved seats will be allotted to contesting political parties. According to my knowledge, SIC didn’t win any National Assembly seats,” he said.

Tarar said the SIC didn’t have any representation in the house. “How can a party be given reserved seats like this?” he asked.