Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi swiftly debunked reports circulating in various media outlets regarding a financial crisis allegedly looming over the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as the crucial Feb 8 polls approach.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Minister Solangi emphatically stated that there is categorically “no crisis” when it comes to meeting the financial requirements of the ECP.
He assured the public that any budgeted amount deemed necessary by the Election Commission will be promptly and adequately released in accordance with its needs.
Addressing the concerns initially raised by media outlets, Minister Solangi went on to disclose that the federal cabinet had not only approved but also allocated a substantial Rs42 billion to fulfill the ECP’s “budgetary needs.”
Furthermore, he underscored that a noteworthy Rs10 billion had already been disbursed.
Shedding light on the financial dynamics, the minister disclosed that the ECP had proactively approached the government to expedite the release of an additional Rs17.4 billion from the remaining budgeted amount.
Reiterating the government’s unswerving commitment to upholding the principles of free and fair elections, Minister Solangi emphatically stated that they stand firmly behind the ECP.
He pointed out that this commitment is in direct accordance with the constitutional mandate outlined in Article 218(3).
In a concurrent development, Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal, after a visit to the ECP headquarters in Islamabad, assured the public through a brief media interaction that the finance department is geared up to disburse the funds necessary for the upcoming elections.
In a reassuring tone, Bosal pledged to release the required funds within a span of two days, showcasing a flexible and responsive approach to meeting the financial needs outlined by the Election Commission.
This development follows the ECP’s categorical rejection of what they termed as “baseless and misleading” reports hinting at a potential delay in the upcoming general elections.
These reports had alluded to a purported request seeking to postpone the polls, citing security concerns in Balochistan and the recent surge in terrorist activities.
