New deadlock between Pakistan government and judiciary amid economic Turmoil

Pakistan's parliament on Thursday ruled against providing funds for provincial snap elections ordered by the Supreme Court. The decision has sparked new discord between the judiciary and the government amid months of political and economic turmoil.

The Chief Justice had sought answers from the government finance officers

The chief justice had already called government finance officers to his room on Friday to seek their answers on the fund. Was warned that there would be consequences for non-compliance. Parliament's decision came hours after the government rejected a panel headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, claiming a conflict of interest because of a rule on the draft law reducing its powers.

Government adviser Ata Tarar said a parliamentary finance committee said it was not possible to fund 21 billion rupees ($74.79 million) for mid-term elections. 

The government said - it is not economically correct to conduct intermediate elections in two provinceThe standoff comes with Pakistan facing a sharp balance of payments crisis as it talks with the IMF to secure $1.1 billion in funding, part of a $6.5 billion bailout package agreed in 2019. No results yet.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government says holding mid-term elections in the two provinces, where former leader Imran Khan dissolved local governments ahead of general elections due in October this year, is not economically viable. 

'It is not possible to give Rs 21 billion for mid-term elections'

Government adviser Ata Tarar said a parliamentary finance committee said it was not possible to fund the 21 billion rupees ($74.79 million) for midterm elections. The committee took action on the Fund Bill introduced by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar earlier this week for the fund.

House Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf ruled against funding the live television broadcast. Voting is constitutionally mandated within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly.

SC had ordered to hold mid-term elections in Punjab province on May 14

The Supreme Court had ordered mid-term polls in the most populous Punjab province on May 14 and said a later date could be fixed for northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as some technical issues were pending.