ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to several officials, including the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) and the secretary of finance, over the delay in the release of funds for holding elections of the Punjab Assembly.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had submitted a report to the apex court on Tuesday stating that the federal government had not provided funds for the polls in Punjab.
Subsequently, the apex court issued notices to the AGP, finance secretary, ECP secretary, ECP director general (law) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor to appear for an in-chamber hearing at 11am on April 14.
Earlier 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 ECP by April 10.
The notice issued today, stated that non-provision of funds for holding the polls was “prima facie disobedience”. “The consequences that can flow from such prima facie defiance of the court are well-settled and known.
“Every person who embarks upon, encourages or instigates disobedience of the court can be held liable and accountable.”
The notices stated that provision of funds for holding polls was a more important matter than pursuing a contempt of court case.
The notice directed the SBP chief to come to the hearing with the record of all resources at the central bank’s disposal. It also directed the finance secretary to come to the court with records.
The ECP secretary was also asked to bring all records related to polls for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
The government on Monday tabled a bill seeking approval of funds for the elections in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As per the decision of the federal cabinet, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar introduced the money bill, saying that the government was laying the bill before the house in light of the Supreme Court orders to release Rs21 billion to the ECP to hold a general election in the two provinces.
