In-chamber hearing has started on the issue of release of funds for elections in Punjab. Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan conducted the in-chamber hearing in which Attorney General, Ministry of Finance officials appeared.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan took a stand that the federal government is helpless in issuing funds for the elections.
He further said that if the Parliament did not give the government the authority to release the funds, then how to release the funds.
Before appearing in the hearing, Attorney General consulted with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his request.
It should be noted that the bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial issued a notice to the Secretary Finance, Attorney General, Secretary Election Commission and Governor State Bank on the issue of providing funds for elections in Punjab on April 14.
In the notice of the court, it was said that according to the report of the Election Commission, the federal government did not provide funds and the non-provision of funds is a violation of court orders, the consequences of which are clear in the law.
The court had said in its notice that the provision of funds for the election is more important than contempt proceedings.
The court also ordered the Secretary Election Commission to provide all the records regarding Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections.
The Chief Justice summoned all the officers in the chamber on April 14.
It should be remembered that on April 11, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted a report to the Supreme Court regarding the release of 21 billion rupees for the elections. In which it was said that the government is reluctant to release the said funds while the federal government is looking for opportunities to not follow the decision of the Supreme Court to hold elections on May 14.
It should be noted that the Supreme Court had on April 4 directed the Election Commission to inform the Supreme Court regarding the funding and submit a report on the government’s response to the request for funds.
The Supreme Court had said that if the funds are not provided or the funds are under-released, the Supreme Court can issue orders or give directions to the authorities concerned.
On the other hand, the Federal Finance Minister had presented the Money Bill for the approval of the Parliament to release 21 billion rupees as per the order of the Supreme Court.
Yesterday, the Standing Committee unanimously rejected the Money Bill 2023 related to the provision of funds to the Election Commission.
Later, the National Assembly also unanimously rejected the motion presented to provide 21 billion for election expenses in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
