On Monday, the Judicial Commission, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, sanctioned the appointment of Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi as the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court.
During the meeting, the Commission, with unanimous agreement among its members, approved the elevation of Justice Abbasi to the position of Chief Justice. The next step involves forwarding the Commission’s recommendation to a parliamentary committee for the final approval of the appointment.
Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi has been in the role of the acting Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court since November 3.
Secretary Finance Assures ECP To Disburse Election Funds In Two Days
Meanwhile, In response to concerns raised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal assured the electoral watchdog on Monday that funds for the upcoming general elections would be released within a day or two.
Bosal appeared before the electoral body after the Finance Ministry failed to respond to inquiries about the allocation of funds for the polls in the budget.
This development arises as Pakistan prepares for the general polls scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The secretary stated that the Finance Ministry would release the funds requested by the Election Commission. The ministry claimed to have received the electoral body’s letter on November 18, four days after it was sent on November 14.
“The disbursement of funds requires approval at various levels,” added the secretary.
Following a meeting with the ECP, the secretary addressed the media.
His appearance at the ECP came after sources informed that the ECP had taken notice of the government’s failure to provide funds.
According to sources, the government allocated Rs42 billion for the general elections in the current financial year’s budget. However, the Finance Ministry has only provided Rs10 billion to the ECP so far.
The sources stated that the disbursement of the remaining amount was unreasonably delayed.
“Rs17 billion are urgently needed for the general elections on February 8,” the sources revealed.
Despite repeated approaches and a written reminder to the Finance Ministry for the immediate provision of funds, no positive response has been received, they added.
