ISLAMABAD: The federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday mulled over several matters about the recent political and constitutional crises..
According to the sources, the issue of allocation of funds for elections in Punjab came under consideration, however, members of the cabinet believed that parliament is supreme and the decision would be taken after the joint session of the parliament.
The sources further revealed that the meeting also discussed President Dr Arif Alvi’s decision to return the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, Justice Athar Minallah’s dissenting note, Supreme Court’s verdict on elections and the ongoing economic crisis in the country.
The meeting was conducted via video link with the prime minister, and several ministers joined it online. Members attending the meeting online comprised Ayaz Sadiq and Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq.
Cabinet Meeting focuses Punjab Polls and Supreme Court Bill
Later the meeting was postponed till Monday to further discuss the relevant issues, particularly funding for punjab election and Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.
Earlier on Saturday, President Arif Alvi returned the bill curtailing the chief justice’s powers with a request for reconsideration in order to meet the scrutiny about its validity.
The bill is aimed at shrinking the chief justice’s powers regarding the suo motu and the formation of benches and sought the advice of the fellow senior judges. PTI has strongly condemned move of the incumbent government to pass the legislation and said it is an “attack on the judiciary”.
PTI and PDM led government are at loggerheads these days due to different issues, including the above, making the situation worse as the country is suffering financial and economic crises.
