The in-chamber hearing regarding the release of funds for Punjab elections has concluded in the Supreme Court (SC) following which the top court ordered the central bank to disburse funds for the polls to the electoral watchdog.
The three-member bench, led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, heard from officials of the Ministry of Finance, State Bank, Secretary Election Commission, and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Usman Awan in an in-chamber proceeding.
The AGP stated that the government cannot release funds for elections as it has been prevented by 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.
The SBP has been directed by the court to disburse Rs21 billion to the ECP to conduct the polls.
