ISLAMABAD: Three-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan directed State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to immediately release Rs 21 billion to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for elections in Punjab.  

Apex court issued order after federal government’s failure to release required funds despite court direction. Bench asked SBP Governor to release amount out of Federal Consolidated Fund.  Earlier, court expressed resentment at federal government for not releasing funds for elections in Punjab.  Supreme Court held in-chamber hearing on issue of release of funds for elections.  Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan and Ministry of Finance officials appeared before bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan. 

Attorney General submitted before bench that federal government was helpless as Parliament had not authorised it to release funds for elections. According to sources, judges expressed their anger and made it clear that court order would have to be obeyed.  Before start of hearing, Attorney General Mansoor met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who summoned him for consultations. Later, speaking to media, AG said Parliament stopped government from releasing funds. Government, he said, had no authority to release funds.

“How government can release funds when Parliament has barred it,” AG said.  On April 12, Supreme Court issued notices on report of Election Commission of Pakistan for non-issuance of funds by government despite its directive to government to release Rs 21 billion for elections in Punjab

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 14 2023

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