ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court is hearing the Punjab election delay case in the chamber after the parliament refused to sanction funds for the elections in the province.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial, had directed the Election Commission to conduct elections in Punjab on May 14 and the federal government to provide funds of Rs 21 billion to the Election Commission. Pakistan (ECP) till 10 April.
However, the ECP submitted a report in the Supreme Court on Tuesday stating that the federal government had not provided funds for the elections.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court summoned Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP), Finance Secretary, ECP Secretary, ECP Director General (Law) and Governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in the Chamber today. Notices have been issued to appear for the hearing to be held.
According to the summons, State Bank Deputy Governor Seema Kamil, Special Secretary Finance, Additional Secretary Finance, ECP Secretary and AGP Awan appeared before the bench.
PM holds consultations with AGP
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met AGP Mansoor Usman Awan before hearing the case.
Speaking to the media before leaving for the meeting, AGP Awan said that Parliament has stopped the government from releasing funds for the elections.
The federal government has no right to release funds for elections.
“[I] will present the government’s stand during the hearing in the chamber,” AGP Awan said.
