Islamabad (Web Desk): Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday tabled a bill in the National Assembly (NA) pertaining to the release of funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding elections in Punjab as ordered by the Supreme Court (SC).
The bill titles 'Charged Sums for General Elections of Provincial Assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bill 2023"
The bill was presented in both houses of the parliament following the the federal cabinet chaired Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The cabinet a summary prepared by the Ministry of Finance regarding the expenditure on elections.
The SC, in its April 4 verdict in Punjab polls case, had directed the federal government to release and provide ECP with funds worth Rs21 billion in any case by April 10 for polls.
Addressing the in the NA, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the government was laying this bill before the House in light of the top court's orders to release Rs 21 billion to the ECP to hold general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
The finance minister said this august House had also passed a resolution that apex court’s order into the suo-motu notice regarding holding elections in Punjab is a decision of 4-3 and the judgment of 3-0 is a minority decision and that should not be implemented.
The minister said the Federal Cabinet, in its recent meeting, pondered over the SC's orders and in view of this House’s resolution, has sought will of the Parliament to take a final decision regarding allocation of funds for general elections for the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The chair referred the bill to the standing committee concerned.