ECP decides to expedite foreign funding case proceedings

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to expedite the proceedings of foreign funding cases.

An important meeting of the ECP was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan. Committee Chairman Arshad Khan briefed the meeting on funding cases against PTI, PML-N and PPP.

Expressing concern over the delay in scrutiny, the ECP said that the lawyers of the parties are unable to give time due to their busy schedules.

During the meeting, it was decided that the proceeding of foreign funding cases would be expedited, for which officials were directed to convene scrutiny committee meetings three times a week.

The holding of local body elections in Punjab was also discussed in the Election Commission meeting. The Punjab Local Bodies Secretary said that the NCOC had recommended postponing the elections due to coronavirus. However, the Election Commission refused the recommendation.

The Election Commission questioned Punjab government’s seriousness regarding the elections, saying that ECP is already holding by-elections under SOPs. It directed the provincial government to publish the names of Village and Neighborhood Councils by January 10.

The Secretary Local Government said that the names of Village and Neighborhood Councils would be published by January 10, but asked for more time on the dates of holding local body elections.

The Election Commission gave a respite of 15 days to the Punjab government, after which it will submit dates for upcoming elections.