ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted a report to a three-judge bench on Tuesday in light of the Supreme Court’s order stating that it needs Rs 21 billion to conduct the Punjab Assembly elections in May. Not received yet. 14.
Last week, a bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial comprising Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Muneeb Akhtar directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release funds for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Who was April 17 (Monday).
The same bench had earlier in an order set the new date for the Punjab Assembly elections as May 14, as it had annulled the Election Commission’s decision to extend the date of the elections from April 10 to October 8.
The Supreme Court had ordered the federal government to release funds worth Rs 21 billion by April 10 for conducting elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, after a long debate in Parliament, the coalition government decided not to implement the order.
The election body informed the apex court that it had not received the required funds from the ministry after which a three-judge bench directed the central bank to release the funds ‘directly’.
“Considering all the above, we are of the view that there is no difficulty or impediment, financially or procedurally or in terms of the Constitution and the relevant authorizations, to the Election Commission to release Rs 21 billion immediately. No. To fulfill its constitutional mandate to hold general elections to the Punjab and KP Assemblies,” the Supreme Court had said in its order.
The court directed the central bank to allocate and release Rs 21 billion from “Account I under its control and management (and which is the core component of the Federal Consolidated Fund)” for the Punjab and KP elections.
The apex court also sought a compliance report from the finance ministry by April 18 (Tuesday), which would “include confirmation regarding AGPR (Accountant General Pakistan Revenue)”. Further, he directed the ECP to also submit a report by Tuesday that Rs 21 billion “has been made available to him in the terms specified above”.
In compliance with the order, the ECP today submitted a report stating that it has not received funds from the central bank.
Separately, the central bank also submitted its report highlighting all the reasons supporting their argument that “they could allocate funds; however, there was no power to release funds directly”.
The Finance Ministry officials also submitted a report to the Registrar’s Office detailing the progress made since the directives were issued.
It mentioned all the legal aspects of releasing the funds and the concerns raised by the Cabinet and Parliament.
The three reports will now be sent to a three-judge bench in its chambers.
A day ago, the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue passed a resolution not to release Rs 21 billion for the elections despite the Supreme Court’s deadline.
Top intel officials brief SC on security situation
Earlier today, top officials of intelligence agencies apprised the Supreme Court of the current security challenges facing the country in connection with elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, JEE News reported citing sources.
Sources said that Justice Ahsan and Justice Akhtar were briefed by security officials. He further said that the meeting in the Chief Justice’s chamber continued for more than two hours.
In its April 4 order, the Supreme Court had directed the government to submit a report by April 17 regarding the provision of security personnel for the elections in the two provinces.
