Danger of Martial Law Imposition Looms Amidst Modern Crises
They had been asking for General Elections. The compliance issue with the recent Supreme Court judgment on election expenses has become a matter of concern in Pakistan. The State Bank of Pakistan’s Acting Governor has stated that while the funds for the elections have been allocated, they have not yet been transferred. The Finance Ministry is now seeking approval from the federal government for the release of the funds. The Law Minister has affirmed that the government will honor the Supreme Court judgment, but instead of seeking ex-post facto approval, the matter will be referred to the National Assembly for its approval. However, there are concerns that the National Assembly may reject the demand for a grant for elections by the evening of the same day.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 (Article 80-83), election expenses have already been deemed approved by Consolidated Funds, and therefore there is no legal requirement to get prior approval for spending. It is considered a charged expenditure, and no approval from the National Assembly or any sub-committee is necessary; only the government’s will is required.
