Cabinet approves referring of election funds’ summary to Parliament

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved referring of finance ministry’s summary to parliament for provision of Rs21 billion funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported.

The meeting – chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif – expressed its deep grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives in a blast in Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station Kabal, Swat and offered fateha for the shuhada and for the early recovery of the injured.

The prime minister directed the ministry of interior for inclusion of a federal government representative in the investigation process of CTD Swat blast.

He also directed for grant of similar Shuhada package to the deceased in the blast as had been given to shuhada of Peshawar Police Lines.

The cabinet also approved financing feasibility for electric bikes and rickshaws for increasing its common use. Under the decision, a loan worth Rs500,000 would be available under Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme at zero mark up.

The federal cabinet gave a nod to legislation over Invest Pakistan initiative on the recommendation of Board of Investment. Under the legislation, an ‘Investment Pakistan’ office would be established under the BOI that would function under public-private partnership.

The meeting also sanctioned appointment of Syedain Raza Zaidi, a 21-grade officer of Inland Revenue, on deputation as chairman Karachi Port Trust on the recommendation of Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The federal cabinet approved guidelines for carrying out amendments under its earlier decision of 08-11-2017. Under the decision, it was made mandatory for all the ministries and divisions to carry out amendments in their relevant acts and rules by replacing the words ‘federal government’ with ‘appropriate authorities’ for usage.

The meeting ratified its earlier decisions of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on April 13. These decisions included declaration of Angor Adda Custom Station in South Waziristan as ‘Export Land Route’ for Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that coalition partners have unanimously decided that the elections be held in October-November across the country on the same day.

“There is a consensus that the assembly would complete its term on August 13 and general elections must be held in October-November,” said Shehbaz Sharif while briefing media on today’s ruling alliance huddle.

The premier reiterated that the parliament would decide about the disbursement of funds to the el election commission for conducting polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

He further said, “Parliamentary committee will discuss the terms of talks between the coalition government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding holding elections across the country on the same day”.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the situation was very challenging today, adding that federal government’s stance was the same even today on SC’s 4-3 verdict.

“[The] SC is still trying to take things forward with the same three-member bench,” PM Shehbaz said.

The Supreme Court – in its April 4 order – declared Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone elections to the Punjab Assembly till October 8 “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as new date.

The National Assembly later passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, stating that it would not provide funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for polls.