PTI’s NA tally reaches 158 after getting 28 women, five minority seats

• PML-N receives 16 women, two minority seats whereas PPP will have nine women and two minority seats

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday notified the seats reserved for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies, raising the tally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) seats in the National Assembly to 158.

According to the electoral watchdog, the PTI’s number in the NA increased to 125 after nine out of 13 independent candidates who won the election joined the PTI. Following the formula laid down in the constitution, the PTI has now been allotted as many as 28 reserved women and five minority seats in the lower house of the parliament, taking its total seats to 158.

According to the official party standings issued by the ECP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will have captured the second spot as its total strength would be 82 after adding 16 women and two minority seats. The PML-N originally won 64 general seats for NA on July 25.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remains third with 53 general seats after being allotted two seats reserved for minorities and nine reserved for women.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) will have fifteen members in the house with 12 general seats, two women and a minority member.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) would receive one woman reserved seat each.

The first session of the 15th National Assembly has been summoned on August 13 (Monday), while the election for the new prime minister is expected to take place on August 17 (Friday).

The PTI, which swept the July 25 general elections by winning 116 general seats, requires a simple majority of votes from the number of lawmakers present in the house to elect party chairman Imran Khan as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan.