ISLAMABAD:  National Assembly (NA) approved summary, sent by NA Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, recommending non-provision of funds for elections to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 

Earlier, issue of allocation of funds for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became more complicated as committee sent the summary, presented by federal law minister Azam Nazir Tarar before NA, to Cabinet which, in turn, sent it back to Parliament.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus-Pasha after meeting of Standing Committee on Finance. She said neither SBP nor Finance Divison had authority to allocate funds from Federal Consolidated Fund.  She said allocation of funds required approval from Parliament. “Without approval of Parliament, no bill or budget has any legal authenticity.”  “Hence, we leave matter up to Parliament now. Parliament is supreme for us because this is what is written in Constitution.” Regarding Monday meeting, she explained that SBP could only allocate money but could not release it. 

Meanwhile, Tarar addressing NA session maintained that SBP was not authorised to release funds adding that it was prerogative of NA and Ministry of Finance and Revenue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 18 2023

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