Polls 2013: PHC fears release of funds might influence general elections

Bench tells Election Commission of Pakistan to further look into the matter.

PESHAWAR:

In light of Article 218 (3) of the Constitution, which demands free are fair elections, the Peshawar High Court questioned the release of funds for development projects ahead of the general elections.

A PHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, gave these remarks while hearing two writ petitions filed by MPAs on Tuesday.

The petitions were filed by MPAs Parvez Khattak and Shah Hussain, who said that the Awami National Party-led (ANP) provincial government released funds for their constituencies’ developmental projects, but ended up disbursing them on the basis of favouritism.

Parvez’s counsel informed the bench that a sum of Rs20 million was allocated for Pk-13, but only Rs1.2 million had been released. He claimed that the rest of the amount was used by ANP activists and not by public representatives.

On the other hand, Hussain’s counsel alleged that Rs50 million had been allocated for the Alaie area of Mansehra district, adding that the area’s MPA was sidelined and funds were being used by an ANP activist named Namoos Khan.

“It has become routine business that whenever we speak against wrong policies of the government, the government is annoyed,” CJ Khan said, adding that MPAs are always asked to identify their areas’ developmental projects ahead of budget allocation.

Citing recent allocation of funds to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPAs by the prime minister, CJ Khan said the election commission should seriously take notice of it as launching developmental projects at a time when general elections are around the corner, will influence the polls.

The bench later left it to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to look into the matter, further emphasising that Article 218 (3) of the Constitution lays emphasis on fair elections.

CJ Khan said that the ECP is being chaired by a competent person and necessary arrangements should be made so that corrupt practices are guarded against.

He also ordered that a copy of the order sheet be sent to the ECP secretary to place it before the chief elections commissioner to see whether fair election can be possible if such a huge amount is placed at the disposal of elected members at such a crucial stage.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2012.