The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by the defense ministry to hold general elections simultaneously across the country once the terms of the national, Sindh, and Balochistan assemblies are completed.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, is hearing the petition.
The chief justice remarked that the court was told that an approval would be sought after issuing the supplementary grant. Instead, the matter was sent to parliament.
“Does this happen only for elections or in normal situations too?” CJP Umar Ata Bandial asked.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan told the court the standing committee had issued a directive to the government about referring the matter to parliament.
Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked how the government can be prevented from issuing grants, adding the prime minister should have a majority in the National Assembly.
In financial matters, the majority of the government is mandatory, he observed.
Under a resolution of the National Assembly, the matter was first sent for approval, said the attorney general. At which Justice Akhtar asked if the Constitution empowered the government, how the assembly can pass a resolution.
Seeking an approval for the grant later would have been risky, AGP Awan said. The hearing was earlier scheduled to begin at 11:30am.
Meanwhile, a second application was filed with the apex court for holding elections of the National and provincial assemblies simultaneously.
The petition was filed by a citizen, Muhammad Arif. It is likely that both the petitions are heard simultaneously.
A day earlier, the ministry of defence requested the apex court to withdraw the order for upcoming elections due to the fear of terrorist attacks on the campaign.
The ministry has submitted a sealed petition in the Supreme Court, requesting that the elections be held simultaneously across the country after the completion of the term of the National, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies.
The election commission, ministry of Finance, and state bank have submitted their respective reports to the Supreme Court regarding the provision of funds for elections in Punjab.
The state bank cited reasons for not releasing funds, while the finance ministry’s report included details of the Cabinet’s decision and referral of the matter to Parliament.
According to sources, the election commission’s report stated that insufficient funds were available for the elections and raised concerns over the lack of a security plan.
