Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf demanded Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Cabinet for not releasing funds to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polls. In tweet, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said despite apex court’s orders, State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to not release funds is in violation of laws.

“Supreme Court should initiate contempt of court proceedings against Prime Minister and Cabinet and fulfil their desire of getting disqualified through court orders,” former Information Minister said.

Top court directly ordered central bank to provide Rs 21 billion to election commission for holding polls in two provinces till April 17 but despite passage of deadline, funds have not yet been released. PTI’s senior leader said in line with Constitution, Parliament does not have any prerogative over election expenses. In tweets, he also mentioned that his party was focused on negotiations with government, but rulers were exhibiting “Non-serious” attitude in this regard.

Negotiations would be held in line with Constitution and Supreme Court’s orders, while noting that delaying elections would be tantamount to subverting Constitution. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf may once again head toward federal capital Islamabad if elections are not held on time. This was expressed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry during media talk outside Lahore High Court (LHC). On question regarding elections, he said that government would have to implement decision of Supreme Court (SC). He said that if it doesn’t happen, they would not have anything but to take to roads. Fawad said that they would head toward Islamabad if government doesn’t implement top court’s decision. Yesterday, Fawad criticised current situation, stating that there is no atmosphere for negotiations with ‘unserious people’.

He expressed his frustration, stating that while talks of negotiations continue, leadership of his party is being imprisoned. Zeroing in on Pakistan Peoples’ Party he said that party part of ruling coalition gives statement advocating for negotiations one day and next day, its government in Sindh arrested PTI leader Ali Zaidi.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 18 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.