ECP submits Punjab polls funds report to SC

Islamabad: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday submitted the report regarding the provision of funds to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

According to details, an informal meeting of the ECP was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in which the report regarding the provision of funds for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was finalized.

It is stated that Election Commission maintained in the report submitted to the Supreme Court that the funds for the elections could not be received as the money was not transferred by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

ECP stated that Supreme Court had ordered to provide funds of Rs21 billion for the elections in Punjab, which was not followed. It is difficult to make arrangements for the elections without funds.

It is pertinent to note that Supreme Court had ordered the Election Commission to submit a report today regarding the provision of funds. Notably, federal government once again refused to release Rs21 billion yesterday (Monday).

Notably, the first deadline issued by the apex court was April 10 which was not followed and now today's deadline has also expired and funds have not been issued.