ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release Rs21 billion (Dh 270.11 million) directly to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as expenses for the elections in Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Deputy Governor of the SBP, Secretary Finance, Secretary of the ECP and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) attended the in-chamber hearing that was presided over by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

The other two judges of the three-member bench were Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar.

The Supreme Court’s order came days after the ECP submitted its report that the federal government was reluctant to provide the funds as per directions of the apex court.

The top court made it clear to AGP Mansoor Awan that the court orders must be followed.

Election in Punjab on May 14

On April 4, the apex court in a Suo Motu case had fixed May 14 as the date for provincial assembly elections in Punjab and ordered the federal government to provide Rs21 billion to the ECP by April 10. The ECP was also directed to submit a report by April 11 whether or not the court’s order was complied with.

However, after the government’s stance, a big question mark is put on the probability of elections on the said date.

The ECP in its report, too, submitted that the government was reluctant to issue the amount needed for elections on the said date.

Fund release stopped by Parliament: AGP

During the in-chamber hearing, the AGP conveyed to the SC bench that the government had referred the matter to Parliament to decide and the parliament had voted against release of funds. The government was thus handicapped, he said.

A day earlier, while issuing notices to the Finance Secretary, SBP governor, AG and the ECP, the Supreme Court had directed them to appear before the judges’ chamber on Friday.

The court had also directed the SBP to submit the record and details of all the funds whatsoever of the federal government lying with or under the bank’s control, custody or management.

Before the hearing, the AGP had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and officials from the finance ministry. The AGP stated that the government could not release funds for elections as it was barred by the Parliament.

The judges expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to release the funds and made it clear that the court order must be followed. As per the government’s stance, an Act of Parliament was required for disbursement of funds from the federal consolidated funds.

The matter was put before the Parliament which rejected the bill and therefore, the government was unable to release funds.