The Supreme Court is likely to issue an order today after examining the report submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the provision of funds and security personnel for the Punjab elections in Islamabad. The Supreme Court directed the election body to submit it by 11 according to the report.
In a sealed one-page report, the commission informed the court that the government had not released Rs 21 billion as per SC directives and the caretaker Punjab government had agreed to sanction only 75,000 security personnel against the demand of 300,000.
On 4 April, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar declared the ECP order passed on 22 March unconstitutional.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), challenging the ECP’s order, postponing the Punjab elections to October 8 and fixing May 14 as the date for polling in the province announced by the verdict on the petitions filed by the PTI.
Well-placed sources told the publication that in view of the report submitted by the ECP, CJP Bandial will today discuss the non-implementation of his order with his fellow judges and is likely to pass the relevant order.
The ECP on Tuesday submitted a report on the non-disbursement of election funds as the federal government has not released funds for holding elections in Punjab The bench announced the verdict on the petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), challenging the ECP’s order, postponing the Punjab elections to October 8 and fixing May 14 as the date for polling in the province.
Well-placed sources told the publication that in view of the report submitted by the ECP, CJP Bandial will today discuss the non-implementation of his order with his fellow judges and is likely to pass the relevant order.
Pursuant to the Supreme Court order, the ECP on Tuesday submitted a report on the non-disbursement of election funds as the federal government has not released funds for holding elections in Punjab.
The report was submitted to the SC registrar in a sealed envelope which was sent to the chambers of the CJP, Justice Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar. CJP-AGP meeting
It was also learned that Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan had also met the CJP in connection with the apex court’s order.
Sources said that during the meeting, the chief justice made it clear to the AGP that the apex court would uphold the constitution, protect it and ensure the rule of law.
The CJP also emphasized that the orders of the Constitution must prevail and were determined to implement the order in letter and spirit. Electoral Funds Bill
Earlier on Monday, the government introduced a bill in the National Assembly to approve funds for elections in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was later sent to the relevant parliamentary committee for consideration.
