Connect with us

Politics

Election funds to be released within two days, assures finance secretary

Published

on

  • Ministry says funds disbursement requires multiple approvals.
  • ECP letter for funds provision was received by ministry on Nov 14.
  • Electoral body was allocated Rs42bn for conducting elections.

Following concerns raised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal on Monday assured the electoral watchdog that funds for upcoming general elections will be released in a day or two.

Bosal was summoned by the electoral body after the Finance Ministry was irresponsive regarding the provision of funds, allocated for the polls, in the budget.

The development came as Pakistan is preparing for general polls scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024.

The secretary said that the Finance Ministry will release the required funds by the Election Commission. The ministry said that the letter written by the electoral body on November 14 was received on November 18.

“Disbursement of funds requires approval at various levels,” the secretary added.

The secretary was speaking to the media after holding a meeting with the ECP.  

The secretary had arrived at the ECP after sources had told Geo News that the ECP has taken notice of the non-provision of funds by the government.

The government, as per the sources, had allocated Rs42 billion for the general elections in the current financial year’s budget. The Finance Ministry, however, only provided Rs10 billion to the ECP so far, they added.

Disbursement of the remaining amount, according to the sources, is being delayed without any reasonable justification.

“Rs17 billion are urgently needed for holding the general elections on February 8.”

The sources told Geo News that the Finance Ministry was repeatedly approached for the provision of this amount, while a written reminder was also sent to the ministry for immediate provision of money.

However, no positive response has yet been given regarding the disbursement of money, they added.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has decided to inform the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar about the non-provision of funds by the finance ministry.

A detailed letter is also being written to the premier today, the sources said.

General elections 2024

Pakistan is now approaching elections with polls scheduled to be held on February 8 2024. All political parties have geared up for a face-off in the run-up to the elections, while the ECP has notified the final list of delimitation of constituencies of the national and four provincial assemblies.

The electoral watchdog is also expected to announce the election schedule, sometime this week. It had earlier stated that the final list of delimitations would be published on December 15 but it was later revised to November 30.

In its notification, the ECP said that according to Article 51(3) of the Constitution, the National Assembly consists of 266 general seats, with 60 seats reserved for women and additionally 10 for non-Muslims.

Latest News

The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

Published

on

By

The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

Continue Reading

Latest News

The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

Published

on

By

Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

Published

on

By

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.

Continue Reading

Trending