SC takes up Punjab election delay case today after parliament refuses funds

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court's three-member bench is hearing the the Punjab election delay case in-chamber after the Parliament refused to approve the funds for the polls in the province.

A three-member Supreme Court 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 amounting to Rs21 billion to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by April 10.

However, the ECP submitted a report to the apex court on Tuesday stating that the federal government had not provided funds for the polls.

Subsequently, the apex court issued notices to the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP), finance secretary, ECP secretary, ECP director general (law) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor to appear for an in-chamber hearing today.

In line with the summons, SBP Deputy Governor Sima Kamil, special secretary finance, additional secretary finance, ECP secretary and AGP Awan appeared before the bench. 

PM holds consultations with AGP

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met AGP Mansoor Usman Awan ahead of the hearing on the case.

Speaking to the media before his departure for the meeting, AGP Awan said that the parliament had stopped the government from issuing the funds for the elections.

The federal government has no right to issue funds for the elections. 

"[I] will present the government’s stance during the in-chamber hearing,” said AGP Awan.

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