ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has directed the finance ministry to prepare a summary in consultation with the law ministry, seeking guidance from Parliament on the matter of providing funds to the ECP for Punjab elections.

“After closely reviewing all aspects and detailed consultation, the federal cabinet unanimously directed the Ministry of Finance to prepare a summary according to the procedure and rules and in consultation with the Ministry of Law to take guidance from Parliament on judicial matters,” said the statement.

This came during a two-hour-long meeting of the federal cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday.

As per the Supreme Court’s April 4 decision, the elections to the Punjab Assembly should be held on May 14. The apex court has also ordered the federal government to issue Rs20 billion to the ECP by April 10 and asked for a report to be submitted on April 11 regarding the issuance of funds.

The caretaker governments should provide a detailed plan about the elections to be conducted and provide sufficient personnel for the organisation of the elections, it added.

The cabinet considered the detailed decisions of four judges and the court order issued with the majority of four to three. They also held detailed consultation on the resolution passed by the National Assembly on April 6.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar briefed the meeting about different constitutional and legal matters and responded to the questions of the cabinet members.

The summary will be presented in the next meeting of the cabinet. It would hold the meeting on Monday (tomorrow) to decide about the future strategy.

Sources told Aaj News that PM Shehbaz Sharif lamented President Arif Alvi’s response towards the SC tweak bill.

Shortage of funds

Earlier, the finance ministry expressed its difficulties in providing the necessary funds for upcoming elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in view of the economic challenges.

The finance secretary said this during a meeting held at the election commission on March 10.

When the Election Commission of Pakistan said that a whopping Rs65 billion would be required to hold the general election across the entire country, the secretary excused themselves from providing the funds.

The ECP had urgently demanded a budget of Rs15 billion to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections in the two provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. Out of a sum of Rs20 billion required for the upcoming polls in Punjab and KP – only Rs5 billion has been provided to the commission so far – he added.

The commission had appealed to the government to provide the necessary funds “as soon as possible” so that preparations for the elections could continue without any further delays.

Officials shed light on the state of the economy, including issues such as inflation, rising debt, and declining revenue streams. The election commission secretary said that additional personnel would be required in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces to ensure the safety of the polling process.