ISLAMABAD , April 14, 2023: A three-member of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has expressed resentment at the federal government for not releasing funds for elections in Punjab.
The Supreme Court on Friday held in-chamber hearing on the issue of release of funds for elections.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan and ministry of finance officials appeared before the bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan.
The attorney general submitted before the bench that the federal government was helpless as the parliament has not authorised it to release funds for the elections.
According to sources, the judges expressed their anger and made it clear that the court order will have to be obeyed.
Before the start of hearing, Attorney General Mansoor met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who summoned him for consultations.
Later, talking to media, the AG said that the parliament has stopped the government from releasing funds. The federal government has no authority to release funds.
How the government can release funds when the parliament has barred it, the AG said.
It may be remembered that on April 12, the Supreme Court had issued notices on the report of Election Commission for non-issuance of funds by the government despite its directive to the federal government to release Rs21 billion for the elections in Punjab.