NA panel refers release of funds issue to cabinet

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, which met on Monday, has decided to refer the matter of release of funds directly to the Election Commission of Pakistan to the federal cabinet.

The Supreme Court had ordered the State Bank of Pakistan on April 14 to allocate and release Rs21 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan by April 17 (today) to conduct elections in Punjab.

A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue was summoned on Monday to specifically discuss the matter. The participants had a heated debate on the issue and in the end made a decision that it would be referred to the federal cabinet.

SBP Acting Governor Sima Kamil told the meeting that though the central bank has allocated Rs21 billion for the Election Commission for the Punjab elections, it does not have the authority to release the said funds directly.

Informing the meeting that the Ministry of Finance does not have enough funds to hold elections on May 14, Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said: “Spending twice on elections is not in the country’s interest.”

He said the trustees of the government funds are the elected representatives of the people.

PML-N leader Barjees Tahir said SBP releasing funds directly to ECP would be against the law. “How can the Supreme Court direct the SBP to release funds?” Tahir questioned.

State Minister for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha also said that the SBP cannot spend money without the parliament’s permission. “If the National Assembly allows funds can be released,” she said.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar did not attend the meeting as he is performing Umrah.