Islamabad (Web Desk): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday submitted a report to the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the provision of funds by the government to hold elections in Punjab.
The report was submitted to the SC’s Registrar’s Office in a sealed envelope.
The government has so far not issued the funds for polls and instead referred the matter of election funds to Parliament. The bill was referred to a standing committee and lawmakers are set to reconvene on Thursday.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial had directed the electoral body to hold elections in Punjab on May 14, and the federal government to provide funds worth Rs21 billion to ECP by April 10.
On the other hand, the government has so far not issued the funds for polls and instead referred the matter of election funds to Parliament.
The bill was referred to a standing committee and lawmakers are set to reconvene on Thursday.
On Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq tabled a bill in the National Assembly (NA) pertaining to the release of funds to the 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.
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 KP.
