SC summons finance secretary, SBP in Punjab polls case
Supreme Court summons officials on April 14
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The Supreme Court (SC) has issued notices to the finance secretary, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor, the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Election Commission secretary over the government’s failure to disburse Rs21 billion in funds for polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to 24NewsHD TV channel, the top court instructed the officials to appear in the judges’ chamber on April 14. Reportedly, the court was told yesterday that the required funds were not received for the Punjab polls.
In its April 4 verdict, the SC had ordered the government to provide the funds to the ECP to conduct elections by April 10 and directed the ECP to submit a report to the court on April 11.
As per the SC registrar, the court noted that the report submitted by the ECP yesterday stated no funds have been released and provided to it as required by the order of the court.
The court adds: “The failure of the federal government to comply with the order of the court as aforesaid is prima facie disobedience.
“The consequences that can flow from such prima facie defiance of the court are well settled and known.
“Every person who embarks upon, encourages or instigates disobedience or defiance of the court can be held liable and accountable,” the notice pointed out.
“Disobedience by the federal government would put the conduct of timely elections as mandated by the Constitution in jeopardy.
“The question of the provision of funds for such a vital constitutional purpose is something that requires immediate attention which takes priority over proceeding against those who may have committed contempt of the court,”
Subsequently, the court issued a notice to the SBP governor and the next senior most official of the bank and directed them to appear before the chamber of the judges on Friday, April 14, at 11 am. It directed them to bring the record and details of money owned by the federal government lying with or under the control, custody or management of the central bank.
The court also issued notices to the AGP, the finance secretary and the “next most senior official” in the Finance Ministry for an in-person appearance the same day. “The said officials shall bring with them all the relevant record and shall place before the court a detailed report as to why the order of the court made in para 5 of Const. P. 5/2023 has not been complied with, as stated by the commission,” it said.