ISLAMABAD, April 17 (Online): National Assembly (NA) standing committee on finance has sent the matter regarding Supreme Court (SC) order to State Bank (SB) for providing Rs 21 billion to Election Commission (EC) for holding election in Punjab to NA for final approval.
The committee met under Qaisar Ahmad Sheikh on Monday. Federal minister for law, state minister for finance, Attorney General and acting president of SB attended the meeting.
In the beginning of meeting committee member Makhdoom Syed Sami ul Hassan raised the question of non presence of federal finance minister.
Chairman committee too said that one year has lapsed but finance minister has not come in the meeting. We are not aware of talks with IMF.
Committee member Barjis Tahir said committee had met on April 13 and it had rejected money bill unanimously. It was our stance that if the elections are held in Punjab first then they will affect the elections in other provinces. Our stance has not changed.
He raised question how Supreme Court (SC) can order SB to release funds.
Law minister said we honor SC order but it should be according to law.
He said media is sitting here. We are not accepting or rejecting it but we are rectifying it.
Law minister said the powers to spend federal consolidated funds are determined in the constitution. . Decision has been made to give funds to EC under article 81 charged expenses. NA opposed legislation. SC had directed to provide funds to EC today. SC ordered the funds be provided from other expenses.
It is laid down in clear terms in constitution that funds will be provided with the approval of NA.
Chairman committee said let us ask from SB what reply they have given.
Acting state bank said we told SC we can allocate this amount but its permission will be accorded by finance ministry.
State minister for finance proposed that we will implement it as per law. We return the summary to federal cabinet. However participants of meeting rejected this proposal.
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