LAHORE: The political landscape of the Punjab Assembly has undergone a significant shift following the Election Commission of Pakistan`s (ECP) decision to restore members on reserved seats.

This development has firmly established the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) as the dominant forcein the provinciallegislature.

As a direct consequence of the ECP`s ruling, the total number of PML-N members in the Punjab Assembly has surged from 206 to 229. This increase is primarily attributed to a substantial rise in their representation on reserved seats for women, which climbed from 36 to 57. Similarly, the party`s presence on minority seats has also seen an uptick, increasing from five to seven.

Other political parties have also seen changes in their numerical strength. The Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) has gained one minority and one women`s reserved seat, boosting its total membership from14 to 16. The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) now holds three women`s reserved seats, up from two, bringing their total members to 11. The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) also saw an increase in its representation, gaining one women`s reserved seat, which raised its total members from six to seven.

Despite these changes, the Sunni Ittehad Council`s (SIC) strength in the Punjab Assembly remains at 76 members, while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) continues to have 27 members. Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (T LP) and Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) each retain their single seats.

Overall, in the 371-member Punjab Assembly, 369 are currently present. One independent member, Mian Aslam Iqbal elected from PP-171 (Lahore-27) in the 2024 vote, is yet to take the oath, and a by-election for one seat is still pending.

The Election Commission`s recent decision has effectively reshaped the political dynamics within the Punjab Assembly, solidifying the PML-N`s numerical majority in the house.