ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned the finance secretary, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary over the government’s failure to release funds for holding a provincial assembly election in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported.
According to details, the court issued notices to the SBP governor and other officials to appear in person (in the chamber) on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11 am.
The apex court has also summoned second-most officials of State Bank and Finance Ministry tomorrow. Director-General (DG) Law of Election Commission will also appear in the chamber.
The court directed the SBP governor and other officials to bring with them the record and details of funds.
Earlier, it was reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the court in a letter that they still did not receive the funds to conduct Punjab elections.
According to sources, the one-page report submitted Supreme Court was signed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other members.
The report mentioned lack of funds and security for conducting elections in Punjab. The ECP informed the top court that they didn’t receive Rs21 billion yet, sources added.
The caretaker government told the ECP that they can provide 75,000 security personnel for the Punjab elections and the commission is still lacking three lac security personnel, sources added.
However, earlier in the day, the National Assembly rejected the bill seeking extra funds for election in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The National Assembly standing committee on Finance and Revenue also unanimously rejected the bill seeking funds for Punjab and KP elections earlier today.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said that the funds are not in the budget that’s why the committee has rejected the bill.
The member of standing committee Khalid Maqsi told the secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) “We apologize that you are going empty-handed.”
