On the issue of release of funds for elections in Punjab, the government argued in the court that the federal government did not have the authority to release funds after the bill was rejected by Parliament.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan conducted the in-chamber hearing which lasted for one hour and 20 minutes during which the Attorney General and other officials appeared.
Special Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Awais Manzoor Samra, Additional Secretary Amir Mahmood, Additional Secretary Tanveer Butt and Acting Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Seema Kamil appeared in the hearing.
In a written submission submitted by the federal government during the in-chamber hearing, it was said that the government has complied with the court’s orders.
The government said that an Act of Parliament was required to release money from the Federal Consolidated Fund, but the bill introduced for the Act of Parliament has been rejected by parliament.
