ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to provide detailed financial information to a Senate panel, citing its status as an independent body under the constitution. The Senate’s standing committee on parliamentary affairs had requested a comprehensive briefing from ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan on the commission’s expenditures, including salaries, travel expenses, and financial details related to the Feb 8 general elections.
In response, Omar Hamid Khan informed the parliamentary affairs secretary that, while the ECP supports transparency, it is not obligated to share such information with the Senate committee. The ECP, established under Article 218(2) of the constitution, functions independently and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate committee, which typically oversees government ministries and associated public bodies.
The ECP’s refusal has prompted PTI Senator and committee chairman Humayun Mohmand to consider raising the issue with the Privileges Committee, suggesting that the ECP’s stance undermines parliamentary oversight. The parliamentary affairs secretary proposed seeking guidance from the Senate chairman, while PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz criticized the ECP’s response, noting that the commission had previously participated in Public Accounts Committee meetings.
