Finance secretary assures ECP of releasing poll funds in two days

The Finance Secretary has assured the Election Commission of Pakistan that funds for upcoming general elections will be released in a day or two, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Earlier in the day, the ECP took strict notice of the non-delivery of funds allocated for the general elections 2024 and summoned the Finance Secretary in this regard.  

On the invitation of the Election Commission, Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal reached the Commission and met with the Election Commission officials, during which the issue of non-supply of funds was discussed.

The Finance Secretary assured that the funds would be released for the Election Commission soon. He said that the funds required by the Commission would be released in two days.

The amount allocated for the general elections in the budget has not been released yet by the Ministry of Finance.

According to sources, Rs42 billion have been allocated for the general elections in the budget of this financial year, of which the Ministry of Finance has provided Rs10 billion so far and the provision of the remaining amount is stalled without any reasonable justification.

The Election Commission of Pakistan urgently needs Rs17 billion to conduct the general elections scheduled to be held on February 8.

The Ministry of Finance was repeatedly approached for the provision of this amount and written reminders were also sent to the Ministry of Finance for the immediate provision of this amount, but no positive response was given in this regard.

 Reporter Usman Khan