ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Friday warned state institutions not to undermine parliament as the country’s top court directed the central bank to release funds amounting to Rs21 billion by Monday for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces amid mounting political tensions with the ruling coalition.
The instruction was issued only days after the federal government failed to comply with the Supreme Court judgment of April 4 which clearly directed it to release the funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by April 10. The National Assembly on Friday approved a resolution, though it does not have any legal value, saying it was solely the authority of parliament to approve or disapprove such funds and budgets.
Earlier this week, the ECP informed the court through a one-page report about the government’s reluctance to issue the funds required to hold polls for the two provincial assemblies which were dissolved by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in January.
Since the dissolution of the assemblies by ex-premier Imran Khan’s political party and its allies, the political, constitutional and economic crises have gripped the South Asian nation. The federal government took the matter to parliament which on Thursday rejected a money bill to provide funds for the polls.
Taking notice of the situation, the apex court on Friday directed the central bank to “forthwith allocate and release Rs 21 billion for purposes of the general elections to the Punjab and KP Assemblies.”
The court also directed the finance ministry to do the needful to ensure the provision of funds to the election regulator.
“All this must be done at the earliest and at the absolute latest not later than the close of business on Monday i.e. 17.04.2023,” reads the nine-page Supreme Court order.
The court has ordered the central bank and finance ministry to file a compliance report on Tuesday that the funds had been released and received for the polls.
The apex court has already warned the federal government of consequences if it failed to release the required amount for the elections.
“The consequences that can flow from such prima facie defiance of the court are well settled and known,” it said.
Through a presentation to the court, the acting central bank governor, Sima Kamil, said the availability of the required funds to the election commission “could be done within the shortest possible time.”
“The acting governor confirmed that this would be done if the Court so directed and ordered,” read the court’s judgment.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed a resolution, saying it was parliament’s authority to approve finances and budgets.
“This house clarifies that parliament has the sole authority as per the constitution to approve or disapprove budget, finance bill, economic measures and release of resources,” the resolution said. “No institution can snatch away this right of the parliament, nor it can suspend or terminate it.”
Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also spoke on the floor of the house, saying it was the primary responsibility of the Supreme Court to provide justice to people. However, he accused the top court of playing a “leading role” in politics these days.
“As the law minister said, we [parliament] are not trespassing on anyone’s territory,” he said. “But this parliament will not tolerate anyone trespassing on its territory either.”
Asif said every state institution should stay within its ambit that was clearly determined by the country’s constitution.
Government warns institutions against undermining parliament as Pakistan top court orders release of election funds
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Government warns institutions against undermining parliament as Pakistan top court orders release of election funds
- The apex court directs the State Bank of Pakistan to release Rs21 billion by Monday and submit a compliance report
- Khawaja Asif accuses top court of playing ‘leading role’ in politics, says it should not ‘trespass’ on parliament’s territory
Peace can only prevail if Afghanistan renounces support for ‘terrorism’— Pakistan defense chief
- Pakistan’s chief of defense forces visits South Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan
- Pakistan says has killed 481 Afghan Taliban operatives since clashes began last Thursday
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said on Wednesday that peace with Afghanistan can only prevail if Kabul renounces support for “terrorism” and “terrorist” organizations, the military’s media wing said as the two countries remain locked in conflict.
Fighting between the two neighbors, the worst in decades, broke out last Thursday night after Afghan forces attacked Pakistan’s military installations along their shared border. Afghanistan said its attacks were in response to earlier airstrikes by Pakistan against alleged militant hideouts in its country.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militant outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on its soil who have launched attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces in recent years. Kabul denies the allegations.
Munir visited Wana town in Pakistan’s South Waziristan district to review the security situation and troops’ operational preparedness at the Afghan border, the Pakistani military’s media wing said in a statement.
“The Field Marshal reiterated that peace could only prevail between both sides if the Afghan Taliban renounced their support for terrorism and terrorist organizations,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The military chief said the use of Afghan soil by militant outfits to launch attacks against Pakistan was unacceptable, vowing that “all necessary measures” would be taken to neutralize cross-border threats.
During the visit, Munir was briefed by military commanders about ongoing intelligence-based operations and measures being taken by the military to manage the border with Afghanistan.
He was also briefed about “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” or “Wrath for the Truth,” the name Pakistan has given to its military operation against Afghan forces, the ISPR said.
The Pakistani military chief spoke to troops deployed in the area, praising their vigilance, professional conduct and high morale, the ISPR said.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that the military has killed 481 Taliban operatives, injured more than 690 and destroyed 226 Afghan checkposts since clashes began.
Arab News has been unable to verify claims by both sides about the damages they claim to have inflicted on each other.
Afghanistan has signaled it is open for dialogue but Pakistan rejected the offer, saying it would continue its military operations till its objectives were achieved.
Since the conflict began, diplomatic efforts have intensified with several countries, including global bodies such as the European Union and United Nations, urging restraint and calling for talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Ankara would help reinstate a ceasefire, the Turkish Presidency said on Tuesday, as other countries that had offered to mediate have since been hit by the conflict in the Gulf.
