In a move that significantly alters the country’s political landscape, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially designated all lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as independent members, complying with a landmark Supreme Court verdict issued on August 25, 2025.

The electoral body issued a formal notification confirming the new status of the legislators, which has prompted the release of revised party positions for the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. These new lists reflect major shifts in the composition of the legislative houses following the reclassification.

According to the updated notification from the commission, one representative from the Sunni Ittehad Council has also been listed as an independent. This development has set in motion a specific procedure for the election of a new Chief Minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The process will begin with the incumbent Chief Minister tendering his resignation to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The governor is required to approve the resignation within a 48-hour timeframe, an action that will lead to the immediate dissolution of the provincial cabinet.

Following the acceptance of the resignation, the PTI parliamentary party is scheduled to convene a meeting to formally endorse its nominee for the new chief executive of the province. Subsequently, the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will summon a session to facilitate the voting process for the chief ministerial election.

To secure the top provincial post, a candidate needs to obtain a simple majority of 73 votes in the 145-member house. Despite their reclassification as independents, PTI-backed members continue to command the support of more than 90 legislators, ensuring they maintain a comfortable majority to elect their chosen leader.