Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed the petition seeking the disqualification of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab Assembly member Sonia Asher.
The verdict was announced by a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
In its ruling, the ECP clarified that minority women are eligible to contest and be elected on women’s reserved seats. The petition against Sonia Asher was filed by Saadia Muzaffar and Fiza Maimoona, challenging her eligibility on the grounds of being a non-Muslim candidate on a women’s reserved seat.
The commission emphasized that there is no constitutional or legal restriction preventing non-Muslim women from contesting either general or reserved seats. "Minority women cannot be barred from contesting elections on general or reserved seats," the decision stated.
The ECP further noted that restricting minority candidates to only non-Muslim reserved seats would be a violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality of all citizens.
The ruling is seen as a significant precedent affirming the right of minority candidates to participate fully in the democratic process without discriminatory limitations.
