Islamabad, the 28^th March, 2013

No.F.8(12)/2012-Cord.— WHEREAS the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) vide its Directive dated 22-01-2013 was pleased to direct as under:

1. “That all kinds of recruitments in any ministry, division, department or institution of the Federal Government or any department or institution of any provincial and local governments is banned forthwith except recruitments by the federal or provincial public service Commission.”
2. “That diversion of funds already allocated to various development projects in the country is banned forthwith and the spending of funds so diverted shall stand frozen forthwith.”

AND WHEREAS the above directive was partially modified vide ECP notification dated 08-02-2013 and exemption was granted to institutions which are established under the Constitution and exemption was also accorded to the recruitments in respect of vacancies which were advertised on or before 31-08-2012.

AND WHEREAS the term of the National Assembly expired on 16-03-2013 and likewise Provincial Assemblies have also been dissolved thereafter and caretaker governments have been established at federal as well as provincial level.

NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of its powers conferred upon it under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Election Commission directs that:

1. The ban imposed on recruitments is withdrawn forthwith.
2. The ban on diversion of funds will be continued to the extent that there will be no announcement of new development schemes.
3. The schemes already approved are allowed to be executed.
4. It may be clarified that the ban does not apply to re-appropriation for
   non-development funds and further ban is not applicable to re-appropriation of funds for the purpose of salaries to the employees of projects.

By order of the Election Commission of Pakistan

  (Muhammad Afzal Khan)

    Additional Secretary