The fate of Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were due to be issued by the Supreme Court’s deadline, has become uncertain as the federal cabinet has sent the issue back to Parliament.
Last week, the apex court had ordered the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release the funds from the Federal Consolidated Fund (FCF) by April 17 for the two provinces. However, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue held a meeting today to discuss the matter and unanimously recommended the finance ministry to introduce a bill through the federal cabinet to comply with the SC’s orders.