What Happened
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly session in Peshawar, summoned for the swearing-in of 25 newly elected Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) — including 21 women and 4 from minority communities — was abruptly adjourned due to a lack of quorum. The session, delayed by more than two hours, began shortly before PTI lawmakers, led by MPA Sher Ali Afridi, raised the quorum issue and exited the hall, prompting Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to formally adjourn proceedings until July 24 (Geo News).
Opposition Pushes for Court Action
In response, opposition parties (PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, ANP) promptly filed a petition with the Peshawar High Court (PHC), demanding intervention to ensure MPAs on reserved seats could take their oaths without further delay (Geo News). They argued the delay violated both constitutional rights and democratic norms (The News International, Aaj English TV).
PHC Appoints Governor to Administer Oath
Responding to the petition, PHC Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Atique Shah officially nominated Governor Faisal Karim Kundi as the authority to administer the oaths, invoking Article 255(2) of the Constitution — which allows the Chief Justice to designate someone for this purpose (Geo News). The ECP, via letter, also requested the PHC’s decision to ensure statutory compliance (ARY NEWS).
Sources, including Dunya News and Business Recorder, report the Governor has formally summoned a special ceremony at Governor’s House for 6 pm today or tomorrow, dedicated to the reserved-seat oath-taking (Dunya News, Business Recorder, ARY NEWS).
Senate Elections at Stake
This delay has significant downstream implications. The KP Senate elections, scheduled for Monday, July 21, require all newly sworn-in MPAs to participate in the electoral college (Geo News). Without completion of the oath, the legitimacy and timing of the Senate vote are jeopardized — raising fears of procedural shortcuts or further legal challenges (Aaj English TV, ARY NEWS).
Political Context & PTI Strategy
Insiders reveal that this quorum walkout was part of a deliberate PTI strategy to stall the opposition’s entry and thus limit their numbers in the Senate poll (Business Recorder). At the same time, PTI is grappling with internal discord: several dissident PTI MPAs opposed the party’s 6–5 Senate ticket allocation, creating further tension (Geo News).
Legal & Constitutional Implications
- Article 255(2) empowers the PHC Chief Justice to appoint an oath administrator when normal assembly procedures break down (App).
- Article 109 provides that the Governor may summon or prorogue provincial assemblies (Wikipedia).
- The opposition views obstruction of the oath as a breach of democratic principles and constitutional duty (Business Recorder).
What Comes Next
- Governor’s ceremony: Governor Kundi will administer oaths at the Governor’s House today or tomorrow, as ordered by PHC (Business Recorder).
- Senate voting resumes: With MPAs sworn in, the Senate electoral college can convene on July 21, maintaining its scheduled timeline (ARY NEWS).
- Political balance shifts: Once the 25 reserved-seat MPAs are inducted, opposition parties gain strengthened representation, potentially affecting vote outcomes (TNT).
- PTI’s upcoming internal reckoning: The party may impose disciplinary measures on dissenters and reassert control ahead of Senate polls (TNT).
Conclusion
The KP Assembly session on July 20, 2025, was dissolved due to PTI’s quorum tactics, blocking 25 reserved-seat MPAs from taking office. However, a timely PHC intervention appointed the Governor to administer oaths, ensuring adherence to constitutional mandate. This move enables the Senate elections to proceed as scheduled, while political strategizing among PTI factions and coalition parties continues to play out.
