Despite
the Supreme Court's order to release Rs21 billion in funds for the Punjab
election, the National Assembly (NA) rejected the motion presented by the
Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue. The committee had recommended not
releasing funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and referred the
matter to the federal cabinet, which then referred it to the NA.
During
the NA session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the committee's report
and it was approved by the lower house of parliament. Tarar stated that the
State Bank of Pakistan had no role in releasing the funds, and it was up to the
National Assembly and the Ministry of Finance and Revenue.
Earlier,
the Supreme Court had ordered the central bank to release the funds and communicate
with the finance ministry regarding the same by April 17. However, Tarar
claimed that the apex court's decision to hold the election in Punjab on May 14
was to please former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He also noted
that the parliament had passed a resolution to hold elections throughout the
country on the same day.
The
SC's directives came after the electoral body informed the apex court that the
Ministry of Finance had failed to release funds as ordered by the three-member
bench on April 4.
Meeting of the National Assembly Panel
Earlier
today, the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue held a
special meeting to discuss the matter and decided to refer it to the federal
cabinet. During the meeting of the National Assembly Panel, SBP Acting Governor
Sima Kamil stated that the regulator had allocated Rs21 billion for the ECP to
conduct polls in Punjab as per the directives of the Supreme Court. However,
the SBP does not have the authority to release funds directly.
Law
Minister Tarar informed the panel that the Ministry of Finance had already
stated that it did not have sufficient funds to hold elections in Punjab on May
14. He stated that spending twice on elections was not in the country's
interest and that the apex court had directed the central bank to arrange the
funds. Tarar maintained that the trustees of government funds were elected
representatives of the people.
Finance
Minister Ishaq Dar was also summoned by the NA body but did not attend the
meeting as he was in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, according to sources. PML-N
leader Barjees Tahir added that if the central bank releases funds directly to
the electoral body, it would be against the law.
The
central bank's acting governor explained to the lawmakers that by allocating
the funds, the amount would remain in the account. She further added that they
appeared before the Supreme Court on its directive and informed the apex court
that the central bank could allocate funds, but it could not release the funds.
State
Minister for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha emphasized that the SBP
could not spend money without the permission of the parliament. She clarified
that even the Finance Division could not spend without seeking permission from
the cabinet and the lower house.
.webp)
