Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) issued notices to the finance secretary, the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and their deputies, along with the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the government’s failure to disburse Rs21 billion in funds for polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Apex court advised the concerned bureaucrats to bring along with them all relevant records of communication, while the Secretary of Finance and Governor State Bank would appraise the court regarding the details of the financial reserves held with the government and its institutions and the reason for the no provision of funds urgently needed for the conduct of the polls in two provinces. The apex court warned the incumbent government that the failure of the federal government to comply with the order of the court as aforesaid is prima facie disobedience. The consequences that can flow from such prima facie defiance of the court are well settled and known to the general public and the department concerned, while every person who embarks upon, encourages, or instigates disobedience or defiance of the court can be held liable, and accountable for his misconduct.
The issue of polls in two federating units has become a gigantic challenge for the administrators, a question of survival for the government as well as the opposition while it also poses a great risk to the ego of the apex court and inter alia a great setback to the sacred code of constitution of the country. The federal government has expressed its inability in providing Rs. 21 billion to the ECP which was highly essential to satisfy the expenses for the forthcoming elections in Punjab and KP. Apparently, no provision of funds had created doubts regarding the possibility of polls in the respective constituencies as per schedule in the present scenario, yet the Supreme Court of Pakistan is determined to rescue the country’s constitution at all costs. The apex court was of the view that the question of the provision of funds for such a vital constitutional purpose is something that requires immediate attention and takes priority over proceeding against those who may have committed contempt of the court. The court has directed all concerned to appear before the chamber of the judges on Friday, which indicates that no formal hearing will be held regarding the no provision of funds and the court intends to steer the situation through direct intervention in the financial affairs of the government, that would leave no room for the government except blaming the court for its fiscal malfunctioning.
Unfortunately, the people and the state of Pakistan fell prey to the selfishness and high ego of its leaders that always prefer their personal or party interests over national unity, economic stability, and the well-being of the public. Currently, Pakistan is passing through the most crucial phase of its history while the persistent political instability remained at the heart of all other issues that made the country a failed state. There had been rumors and lobbying by the leaders of the ruling coalition government regarding the deferment of the upcoming election in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not merely due to security reasons and financial constraints but on political grounds that created a perception that the ruling alliance was not sincere in holding elections in respective regions on the due dates. That philosophy not only causes uncertainty in the masses but also deepens the economic and political crises in the country. After all, the current political upheaval is the outcome of the wrong choices and irrational decisions of our leadership that hurt the core fabric of society, undermined the political system, and eventually proved to be disastrous for the country. The nation can’t afford further escalation of the ongoing political, economic, and constitutional crises in the country, therefore, the treasury, the opposition, judges, and bureaucracy must exercise consciousness and restraint by adopting a lawful and plausible solution to the problem. So, the writ of the law could be maintained and the nation comes out of the prevailing chaos and pandemonium.
