Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the federal cabinet and the ruling coalition’s meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow) to discuss the political situation and election matter.
On 20th April, the top court adjourned the hearing of the petition till 27th April after the key ruling parties — Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — had assured the Supreme Court that they would sit with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 26th April and try to find a solution on the election date.
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The sources privy to the matter said that the meeting of the ruling alliance will be held at the Prime Minister’s House at 12:30 pm. The participants of the meeting would “discuss the current political situation and devise a future strategy”, the sources added. Keeping this in view, prime minister to take all the allies on board over the expected dialogues with PTI on the election date.
Sources said that, coalition huddle will also consult over the election and the consultative process with various political parties. The meeting will likely to be given briefing on the economic situation and contacts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over bailout package, sources said.
Parliamentary leaders of the ruling coalition will attend the session, according to sources.
“Detailed consultations are expected in the meeting over the political situation. The Premier will consult with the allies over talks with the PTI.
Remember that, Supreme Court (SC) on in its ver4th April verdict declares the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) 22nd March order to postpone Elections in Punjab null and void ordering to hold poll by 14th of May.
A three-member bench heading by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar — announced the reserved verdict on the PTI’s petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order postponing the elections in Punjab and KP.
The Supreme Court declared the ECP’s order postponing the provincial assembly elections until October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the government to release Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab by April 10.
The top court also directed to conduct Punjab polls on May 14. The SC further directed the caretaker government in Punjab to assist the commission.
Supreme Court also directed Pak Army to provide security for the upcoming elections and also orders to ECP to hold elections. However, the National Assembly later passed a resolution rejecting the three-member Supreme Court bench’s verdict on the Punjab polls, stating that it would not provide funds to the ECP for polls.
The electoral watch dog informed the Top court that it had not received the required funds from the ministry after which the three-member bench directed the State bank to release funds “directly”.
Earlier in Federal Meeting The deputy governor SBP Seema Kamil said they have allocated Rs.21 billion for the Punjab elections as per the Supreme Court’s ruling, but the central bank does not has the authority to release the funds directly.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha emphasised that the SBP cannot spend money without the permission of the parliament.
“If the National Assembly allows funds can be released [to the ECP],” she said, clarifying that even the Finance Division cannot spend without seeking permission from the cabinet and the lower house.
In last hearing government has assured the Supreme Court over holding talks with the opposition over elections in two provinces on April 26 (tomorrow). Keeping this in view Supreme Court adjourned his hearing till 27th April.
