ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday approved a summary sent by the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue regarding non-provision of Rs21 billion funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding Punjab polls.

Earlier in the day, the National Assembly Standing Committee, in a summary sent to the federal cabinet, recommended that funds amounting to Rs21 billion for holding the elections not be released. The cabinet, in turn, referred the matter to the National Assembly. During the National Assembly session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the committee’s report, which was then approved by the National Assembly.

Earlier, talking to media at the Parliament House on Monday, Azam Nazeer Tarar said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had no role in releasing the funds. He said it was the prerogative of the National Assembly and the Ministry of Finance and Revenue.