Staff Report
ISLAMABAD : An important and urgent meeting of the federal cabinet ended Sunday under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that decided to send the funds for elections matter to the parliament. Moreover, it also deliberated upon upcoming elections in Punjab and prevailing political and constitutional crisis in the country.
The cabinet discussed whether or not to release funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding elections in Punjab on May 14 or ‘defy’ the Supreme Court’s order. It was decided to keep the supremacy of the parliament. It was also decided to take the funds issue to the parliament. The meeting held through video link in the provincial capital.
The cabinet also approved National Security Committee meeting’s decisioins.
Sources said that cabinet members condemned the act of President Dr Arif Ali of returning the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 to the government.
PM Shehbaz, speaking on the occasion, said the role of the president had become like that of a PTI activist. It was said that “It is unfortunate to send the bill approved by the Parliament back. The president should have abided by the Constitution and the law.”
Sources said Justice Athar Minallah’s dissenting note and the Supreme Court’s verdict on polls also came under discussion. It was stated that how four-three judgment can be accepted as three-two.
They further said the cabinet discussed the future line of action.
Earlier, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the meeting “an important huddle on the current issues.” She revealed the agenda of the meeting but hinted that “significant decisions” might be taken. Most cabinet members would participate through video link, she added.
Meanwhile, the People’s Party (PPP) has distanced itself from the PML-N’s demand that Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial should step down. But, insiders said that the PPP may review its stance whether to support the PML-N decision to reject the court’s order on Punjab polls or not.
According to a PML-N insider, top of meeting agenda were the release of funds for Punjab elections, president’s decision to return Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill 2023, and Justice Athar Minallah’s dissenting note on suo motu on the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the Sharifs were in complete mood for a face off with the chief justice-led bench’s decision to hold elections in the province on May 14.
He revealed that the coalition government “doesn’t care” what action the Supreme Court will take. The PML-N was desperate for a narrative that would help it in elections, he continued.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has not given a hint that the government would release funds to ECP by April 10 as the Supreme Court order.
President Dr Arif Alvi has returned the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, for reconsideration to parliament, stating that the legislation “prima-facie travels beyond the competence of the Parliament and can be assailed as a colourable legislation”.
