The Ministry of Finance has come under scrutiny for its failure to disburse funds essential for the scheduled general elections on February 8, raising concerns about potential delays. This revelation emerged on Monday after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned the finance secretary to address the lack of funds.
Despite a budget allocation of Rs42 billion for the 2024 general elections in the financial year 2023-24, the ministry of finance has only released Rs10 billion thus far. Sources indicate that the remaining funds are being withheld by the ministry without providing any explanation.
With the election date drawing near, the ECP urgently requires Rs17 billion. It has been reported that the ECP made repeated appeals to the ministry of finance for the release of election funds, but these requests were met with no positive response.
In response to the situation, the ECP chief has decided to apprise Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar of the circumstances and intends to draft a detailed letter addressing the non-provision of funds.
The issue of election funds gained prominence in 2023 when the Supreme Court of Pakistan set a deadline for the release of funds to facilitate early general elections in Punjab. During that period, the ECP informed the apex court that it was unable to conduct the elections due to the unavailability of funds.
