Transfer of USF Funds to Finance Ministry Questioned by Supreme Court of pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the finance secretary to submit a detailed report that how Rs 62 billion were withdrawn from Universal Services Funds (USF) accounts with an executive order.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry including Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed resumed hearing of a case pertaining to delay in awarding 3G licence to cellular companies.

During the course of proceedings, cabinet secretary and information technology secretary submitted their replies regarding the appointments made in Pakistan Telecom-munication Authority (PTA).

The CJP remarked that India has earned billions of rupees by signing an agreement with YouTube administration and it is running free in Pakistan.

Justice Jawad S Khawaja observed that the amount drawn from USF accounts was Rs 62 billion, not Rs 42 billion and he remarked that the amount withdrawn from USF could only be spent for expansion of IT network in the country as it is not a revenue.

He remarked that according to the constitution only revenue could be deposited in the national exchequer.

The court expressed annoyance over delay in the completion of Information Memorandum Draft 2011. The Supreme Court while summoning the record of 3G licence from Lahore High Court adjourned the case till August 6. app