According to an ECP spokesperson, the decision was taken to provide a level playing field to all political parties and candidates. “Moreover, the federal government, the provincial governments and the local governments shall not issue tenders of such schemes till the conclusion of the 2018 General Elections. On April 24, the apex court had directed the IHC to decide on the legality of the ECP notification within one week. Likewise, a plea by the Punjab governments against the ECP notification was also transferred to the IHC. An IHC division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani on Thursday set aside the ECP order.

Source: The Express Tribune May 12, 2018 03:22 UTC