Islamabad – Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal cabinet concluded a crucial and urgent meeting on Sunday and decided to refer the issue of election funding to the parliament. It also discussed the upcoming elections in Punjab as well as the nation’s ongoing political and constitutional crisis. The cabinet debated whether or not to ‘defy’ the Supreme Court’s order and release money to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab on May 14. The decision was made to maintain the power of the parliament. Additionally, it was decided to bring up the funding issue in parliament. The provincial capital hosted the meeting via video link. The National Security Committee meeting’s decisions were also approved by the cabinet.
Sources told media that the 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.
