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.