Senate, NA Committees reject bill to provide funds for polls

Islamabad: The National Assembly and Senate Standing Committees for Finance Thursday rejected the bill to provide funds for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), GNN reported.

The meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee was chaired by Chairman Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh which unanimously rejected the Money Bill.

Minister of State for Finance Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha said that Pakistan is in the strict program of International Monetary Fund (IMF), we are facing shortage of funds and a huge deficit and do not have additional funds available apart from the allocated budget.

Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Omar Hameed said: “We have to answer Supreme Court for the funding of Rs21 billion, however only Rs5 billion were released in the budget for election”.

Member Committee Burjis Tahir stated that we cannot give money to the Election Commission in these circumstances.

“Listen Secretary Election Commission, there is no money for you, hold the election at one time, otherwise it will cause a feeling of deprivation in small provinces. Holding elections only in Punjab will cause a threat to country’s economy,” Burjis added.

He added that eight judges of Supreme Court are only concerned about the elections in Punjab.

Another meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance was chaired by Senator Dilawar Abbas.

Money bill was discussed in the meeting to release Rs21 billion for election in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Finance Minister Ayesha Ghos said: “According to the deal with IMF, funds are limited, Pakistan is facing financial difficulties and there is no scope to give funds.

After the discussion in meeting, the Standing Committee of the Senate also rejected the bill to fund the Election Commission by majority vote.