The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has announced that its independent candidates will join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) almost 10 days after the general elections. This move is aimed at securing reserved seats and forming governments at the federal level, in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan explained that joining the SIC will protect the party’s reserved seats and provide cover to its members. However, this merger poses a fresh set of complex questions, specifically concerning the claiming of reserved seats and the legality of the alliance with the SIC. The SIC has not submitted a list of reserved candidates, which could potentially impact PTI’s ability to claim reserved seats. While the PTI-backed candidates can join the SIC and form the government, uncertainties remain regarding the party’s ability to claim reserved seats. The SIC was established in 2001 by Barelvi leaders to combat religious extremism and terrorism. Despite its previous achievements, its actions on blasphemy-related issues and previous failed alliances with political parties have generated controversy. However, its alliance with PTI in this year’s elections has catapulted the SIC to the forefront of Pakistan’s political landscape.