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Prohibited funding: ECP gives PTI one month to respond
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Which could be personally good for IK.
He tried his best but now the nation has to decided for itself.
IK made it crystal clear for everyone to see and choose.
I think IK should move to England and spend rest of his years with his kids. Ali Khan aur Asad Umer or Mr. Suri can take over PTI or rename the party if it gets banned.
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday suspended its earlier order directing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide the foreign funding case against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in 30 days.
A two judge bench, presided by Chief Justice Athar Minallah and including Justice Babar Sattar, suspended the earlier order given by the court's single-judge bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.
In his ruling earlier this month, Justice Kayani had dismissed PTI's petition seeking to keep its foreign funding confidential terming it non-maintainable and misconceived. He had also rejected the request to prevent giving access of the case's record to PTI founding member Akbar S Babar and a request to remove him from the case proceedings.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
DAWN
A two judge bench, presided by Chief Justice Athar Minallah and including Justice Babar Sattar, suspended the earlier order given by the court's single-judge bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.
In his ruling earlier this month, Justice Kayani had dismissed PTI's petition seeking to keep its foreign funding confidential terming it non-maintainable and misconceived. He had also rejected the request to prevent giving access of the case's record to PTI founding member Akbar S Babar and a request to remove him from the case proceedings.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
DAWN
Our Judiciary is a joke... no wonder they are ranked at 130 in the world.
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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members staged protests outside Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) offices in different cities on Tuesday, condemning the alleged biased conduct of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
Television footage showed demonstrations were held in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gujrat and Faisalabad, among other cities.
Police were deployed outside the ECP office in Karachi ahead of the protest and three mobile vans were also present at the site as part of security arrangements.
According to a statement issued by PTI spokesperson Saddam Kumbhar, Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh and other party leaders, including Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Bilal Ghaffar, Aftab Siddiqui, Raja Azhar and Saifur Rehman, were among the demonstrators.
The statement said Sheikh addressed the protesters on the occasion, saying: "We are here to make the shameless feel some shame."
Without naming anyone, he added, "You were the election commission. Since when did you become the corruption commission."
The PTI leader called the present times "black days", further dubbing the ECP the "patron of turncoats".
Last night, the PTI had also taken out a bike rally in port city against the incumbent coalition government.
Sharing a video of the rally on social media, PTI leader and former human rights minister Shireen Mazari tweeted: "Motorbike rally in Karachi last night against imported govt brought in through [the] US regime change conspiracy aided by local abettors. Our Movement continues — the ppl have risen!"
On Tuesday, chaos was witnessed outside the ECP office in Peshawar as PTI members attempted to barge into the building. They were stopped by police deployed outside the ECP office's gate.
PTI lawmakers from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, including Zahir Shah and Abdul Salam, were among the protesters, who raised slogans against the CEC, calling him biased.
They questioned as to why only the PTI's funding was being investigated while other parties were not facing similar probes.
The protest ended in Peshawar around 1pm.
DAWN
Television footage showed demonstrations were held in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gujrat and Faisalabad, among other cities.
Police were deployed outside the ECP office in Karachi ahead of the protest and three mobile vans were also present at the site as part of security arrangements.
According to a statement issued by PTI spokesperson Saddam Kumbhar, Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh and other party leaders, including Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Bilal Ghaffar, Aftab Siddiqui, Raja Azhar and Saifur Rehman, were among the demonstrators.
The statement said Sheikh addressed the protesters on the occasion, saying: "We are here to make the shameless feel some shame."
Without naming anyone, he added, "You were the election commission. Since when did you become the corruption commission."
The PTI leader called the present times "black days", further dubbing the ECP the "patron of turncoats".
Last night, the PTI had also taken out a bike rally in port city against the incumbent coalition government.
Sharing a video of the rally on social media, PTI leader and former human rights minister Shireen Mazari tweeted: "Motorbike rally in Karachi last night against imported govt brought in through [the] US regime change conspiracy aided by local abettors. Our Movement continues — the ppl have risen!"
On Tuesday, chaos was witnessed outside the ECP office in Peshawar as PTI members attempted to barge into the building. They were stopped by police deployed outside the ECP office's gate.
PTI lawmakers from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, including Zahir Shah and Abdul Salam, were among the protesters, who raised slogans against the CEC, calling him biased.
They questioned as to why only the PTI's funding was being investigated while other parties were not facing similar probes.
The protest ended in Peshawar around 1pm.
DAWN
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LAHORE: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, while addressing his party's Workers' Convention in Lahore on Wednesday, said that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja is "PML-N's agent."
He said that CEC Raja doesn't have the right to serve the post,
therefore, he should resign.
"He [CEC] alone makes the decisions and all of his decisions are against the PTI," he said.
"We demand that the foreign funding cases against all the major political parties should be heard together."
Imran further maintained that a conspiracy was hatched to forge evidence against the PTI in the foreign funding case.
The former prime minister said that an "imported government has been imposed on Pakistan under a conspiracy."
"The conspiracy was hatched outside [the country] and Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq were united here. Your prime minister was ousted due to his independent foreign policy," Imran said.
Imran said that the United States will "control the imported government through the three stooges and cherry blossom (a brand of shoe polish).
"They will enslave this country to cover their corrupt practices."
Imran went on to say that the turncoats who became part of the conspiracy were not aware of it.
"The three stooges were part of the conspiracy but the turncoats may not know [about their indirect involvement]. They sold their conscience for Rs200-250 million."
Saying that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP's Asif Ali Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman were part of the conspiracy, Imran demanded the courts to take action against them by hearing the case on a daily basis.
The PTI chairman also announced that a prayer ceremony will be organised tomorrow night which will be attended by Maulana Tariq Jamil.
Asking the workers to spread the message, Imran said that special prayers for the country's real freedom will be said at the event.
The PTI chairman said despite the country's current account deficit being at an 11-year low, a "conspiracy" was hatched to oust him.
"American undersecretary met our ambassador and told him that a no-confidence motion will be presented before Imran Khan tomorrow; if that succeeds, then everything will be forgiven for Pakistan," the ex-premier said.
Moving on, the PTI chairman said he wanted at least two million people to gather in Islamabad when he asks them to reach the capital — to protest against the government.
"For 30 years, they have been ruling the country; corruption cases against them were not created during our tenure," the ex-prime minister said.
The PTI chairman said the incumbent government was now seeking NRO II. "The cases against their ministers will be closed now, and they will start corruption now."
GEO
He said that CEC Raja doesn't have the right to serve the post,
therefore, he should resign.
"He [CEC] alone makes the decisions and all of his decisions are against the PTI," he said.
"We demand that the foreign funding cases against all the major political parties should be heard together."
Imran further maintained that a conspiracy was hatched to forge evidence against the PTI in the foreign funding case.
The former prime minister said that an "imported government has been imposed on Pakistan under a conspiracy."
"The conspiracy was hatched outside [the country] and Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq were united here. Your prime minister was ousted due to his independent foreign policy," Imran said.
Imran said that the United States will "control the imported government through the three stooges and cherry blossom (a brand of shoe polish).
"They will enslave this country to cover their corrupt practices."
Imran went on to say that the turncoats who became part of the conspiracy were not aware of it.
"The three stooges were part of the conspiracy but the turncoats may not know [about their indirect involvement]. They sold their conscience for Rs200-250 million."
Saying that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP's Asif Ali Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman were part of the conspiracy, Imran demanded the courts to take action against them by hearing the case on a daily basis.
The PTI chairman also announced that a prayer ceremony will be organised tomorrow night which will be attended by Maulana Tariq Jamil.
Asking the workers to spread the message, Imran said that special prayers for the country's real freedom will be said at the event.
The PTI chairman said despite the country's current account deficit being at an 11-year low, a "conspiracy" was hatched to oust him.
"American undersecretary met our ambassador and told him that a no-confidence motion will be presented before Imran Khan tomorrow; if that succeeds, then everything will be forgiven for Pakistan," the ex-premier said.
Moving on, the PTI chairman said he wanted at least two million people to gather in Islamabad when he asks them to reach the capital — to protest against the government.
"For 30 years, they have been ruling the country; corruption cases against them were not created during our tenure," the ex-prime minister said.
The PTI chairman said the incumbent government was now seeking NRO II. "The cases against their ministers will be closed now, and they will start corruption now."
GEO
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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejected PTI's plea to combine all foreign funding cases before deciding the one related to the PTI, The News reported.
The announcement came from a three-member ECP bench during the hearing of PTI's foreign funding case, a day after the party held protests outside ECP's offices for its "biased attitude" towards the PTI.
The PTI counsel, however, managed to get an extension for presenting his arguments after Eidul Fitr. At the previous hearing on April 19, the counsel had sought three days, April 27, 28, and 29, to conclude his arguments.
Instead of continuing with his arguments, PTI lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan read an Islamabad High Court (IHC) double bench order that suspended the 30-day limit set to decide the foreign funding case by an IHC single bench.
The lawyer contended that the IHC bench had ordered that all cases of foreign funding must be heard simultaneously and, therefore, he refused to argue the case on Wednesday despite his commitment made on April 19.
To this, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja pointed out that the IHC double bench order had made no such determination, and that the PTI foreign funding case has already been delayed for almost eight years and now required an early conclusion.
At one stage, the CEC made it clear that his institution is not prepared at all to take any kind of pressure and that the foreign funding case would be decided purely on merit. He said injustice will not be meted out to any political party.
“Neither there will be an injustice to any party nor will we take into account whether there are five or five lakh people present outside the Election Commission of Pakistan,” he remarked.
Raja explained that the scrutiny of 101 parties was conducted and contradictions were found in the accounts of 17 of them. The commission will present its detailed position before the IHC.
“Before the IHC order, we are already moving towards the conclusion of the case. The commission has to thrash out the procedure on its own. Do you think we should take dates for hearing from other courts?” he said, adding that hearings of other cases were in progress and a detailed progress report will be presented to the IHC on May 17.
Upon hearing the decision of the ECP to continue proceedings, the PTI lawyer again used the IHC double bench order of April 25 to renege on his own commitment of April 19 to conclude his arguments in three days starting from April 27. He said now that the IHC has suspended the 30-day limit, he can’t argue the case as he needs more time to prepare his arguments which can only happen after Eid.
To this, petitioner Akbar Sher Babar's lawyer, Syed Ahmad Hassan, objected to fresh attempts by the PTI to further delay the final arguments under the pretext of the IHC double bench order. He said that in this case, the petitioner is the aggrieved party for being denied fair treatment under one pretext or another and the PTI should not be allowed to misconstrue the IHC order.
Hassan said the PTI has already abused the law to delay the case which the ECP order dated October 10, 2019, termed a “historic abuse of law”. He emphasised that the PTI should not be allowed to further abuse the law or misconstrue the latest IHC order to delay the case. The lawyer said the case has been delayed for nearly seven years and six months, 2,710 days, 65,040 hours, 180 hearings, and nine PTI writ petitions to delay or scuttle the case.
The ECP allowed more time to the PTI, this time under the pretext of Chief Justice Athar Minallah's order by rescheduling the hearing for May 10. Outside the ECP after the hearing, when a journalist asked Anwar Mansoor if the case will be delayed for another seven years, the counsel sat in his vehicle and drove away without replying to him.
Talking to the media outside the ECP, Akbar S Babar said that PTI is running away from justice and accountability, and the system is allowing it to happen. He said if at all anyone's rights have been trampled, it is the petitioner who for almost eight years been running from pillar to post to seek justice which is being denied to him.
Babar condemned the PTI protests demanding the CEC's resignation and termed it tantamount to an accused demanding the resignation of a judge deciding his fate, which is the most blatant example of fascism.
He said PTI Chairman Imran Khan should resign as he betrayed the founding ideals of the party and presided over one of the most corrupt governments in Pakistan’s history, according to Transparency International. He said the PTI will be refurbished and cleansed of the corrupt once its reigns are back in the hands of those who created it. He said Imran had the opportunity to reform the society, but he failed.
“It is high time for him to fade away instead of fanning the fires of discord as he could not digest his removal from power,” he added.
GEO
The announcement came from a three-member ECP bench during the hearing of PTI's foreign funding case, a day after the party held protests outside ECP's offices for its "biased attitude" towards the PTI.
The PTI counsel, however, managed to get an extension for presenting his arguments after Eidul Fitr. At the previous hearing on April 19, the counsel had sought three days, April 27, 28, and 29, to conclude his arguments.
Instead of continuing with his arguments, PTI lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan read an Islamabad High Court (IHC) double bench order that suspended the 30-day limit set to decide the foreign funding case by an IHC single bench.
The lawyer contended that the IHC bench had ordered that all cases of foreign funding must be heard simultaneously and, therefore, he refused to argue the case on Wednesday despite his commitment made on April 19.
To this, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja pointed out that the IHC double bench order had made no such determination, and that the PTI foreign funding case has already been delayed for almost eight years and now required an early conclusion.
At one stage, the CEC made it clear that his institution is not prepared at all to take any kind of pressure and that the foreign funding case would be decided purely on merit. He said injustice will not be meted out to any political party.
“Neither there will be an injustice to any party nor will we take into account whether there are five or five lakh people present outside the Election Commission of Pakistan,” he remarked.
Raja explained that the scrutiny of 101 parties was conducted and contradictions were found in the accounts of 17 of them. The commission will present its detailed position before the IHC.
“Before the IHC order, we are already moving towards the conclusion of the case. The commission has to thrash out the procedure on its own. Do you think we should take dates for hearing from other courts?” he said, adding that hearings of other cases were in progress and a detailed progress report will be presented to the IHC on May 17.
Upon hearing the decision of the ECP to continue proceedings, the PTI lawyer again used the IHC double bench order of April 25 to renege on his own commitment of April 19 to conclude his arguments in three days starting from April 27. He said now that the IHC has suspended the 30-day limit, he can’t argue the case as he needs more time to prepare his arguments which can only happen after Eid.
To this, petitioner Akbar Sher Babar's lawyer, Syed Ahmad Hassan, objected to fresh attempts by the PTI to further delay the final arguments under the pretext of the IHC double bench order. He said that in this case, the petitioner is the aggrieved party for being denied fair treatment under one pretext or another and the PTI should not be allowed to misconstrue the IHC order.
Hassan said the PTI has already abused the law to delay the case which the ECP order dated October 10, 2019, termed a “historic abuse of law”. He emphasised that the PTI should not be allowed to further abuse the law or misconstrue the latest IHC order to delay the case. The lawyer said the case has been delayed for nearly seven years and six months, 2,710 days, 65,040 hours, 180 hearings, and nine PTI writ petitions to delay or scuttle the case.
The ECP allowed more time to the PTI, this time under the pretext of Chief Justice Athar Minallah's order by rescheduling the hearing for May 10. Outside the ECP after the hearing, when a journalist asked Anwar Mansoor if the case will be delayed for another seven years, the counsel sat in his vehicle and drove away without replying to him.
Talking to the media outside the ECP, Akbar S Babar said that PTI is running away from justice and accountability, and the system is allowing it to happen. He said if at all anyone's rights have been trampled, it is the petitioner who for almost eight years been running from pillar to post to seek justice which is being denied to him.
Babar condemned the PTI protests demanding the CEC's resignation and termed it tantamount to an accused demanding the resignation of a judge deciding his fate, which is the most blatant example of fascism.
He said PTI Chairman Imran Khan should resign as he betrayed the founding ideals of the party and presided over one of the most corrupt governments in Pakistan’s history, according to Transparency International. He said the PTI will be refurbished and cleansed of the corrupt once its reigns are back in the hands of those who created it. He said Imran had the opportunity to reform the society, but he failed.
“It is high time for him to fade away instead of fanning the fires of discord as he could not digest his removal from power,” he added.
GEO
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The PTI counsel, while giving arguments before the ECP scrutiny committee, has raised objections, saying the major political parties – namely PPP and PML-N – are still dilly-dallying over submission of their records of alleged illegal funding.
In a meeting of the election supervisor’s scrutiny committee held on Monday, the PTI deplored that four years had passed since the panel was formed in 2018 yet the PML-N and PPP had not submitted their records, claiming that both the parties received “illicit” funding.
PML-N lawyer Jahangir Khan Jadoon and PTI counsel Rana Muhammad Afzal appeared before the committee.
Talking to the media after attending the meeting of the scrutiny committee, PTI Information Secretary Farrukh Habib stressed that the party has requested the commission to adjudicate upon the matter without delaying it any further, adding that it was the duty of the election supervisor to enforce the law.
The PTI leader emphasised that the ECP had to decide the matter within a period of 30 days. “We have raised our objections today which will be looked into by the scrutiny committee,” he added.
“Late Benazir Bhutto had revealed in her book that Nawaz Sharif received money from al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden to contest elections against her in 1990,” he said. "The PPP and the PML-N concealed their accounts, whereas our record is clean and transparent,” he claimed.
Referring to the former ruling party’s dissident lawmakers – against whom the PTI had approached the ECP seeking their disqualification for violating party principle – Farrukh said: “Tomorrow (Tuesday), the ECP will hold an important hearing on those who sold their conscience. If the dissident members partook [in the no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan], then it merits direct disqualification of the lawmakers.”
Meanwhile, PML-N lawyer Jahangir Jadoon, speaking to the media, claimed that ever since the constitution of the scrutiny committee, the PTI had been deploying delaying tactics.
He said that the PML-N had submitted its record to the panel, adding that not a single cheque the party received was illegal.
The foreign funding case was pending since Nov 14, 2014, and it was filed by Akbar S Babar who had alleged that there were financial irregularities in the PTI’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
On January 4 this year, the ECP scrutiny committee, formed in March 2018, submitted its report on the PTI’s foreign funding case after 95 hearings.
Express Tribune
In a meeting of the election supervisor’s scrutiny committee held on Monday, the PTI deplored that four years had passed since the panel was formed in 2018 yet the PML-N and PPP had not submitted their records, claiming that both the parties received “illicit” funding.
PML-N lawyer Jahangir Khan Jadoon and PTI counsel Rana Muhammad Afzal appeared before the committee.
Talking to the media after attending the meeting of the scrutiny committee, PTI Information Secretary Farrukh Habib stressed that the party has requested the commission to adjudicate upon the matter without delaying it any further, adding that it was the duty of the election supervisor to enforce the law.
The PTI leader emphasised that the ECP had to decide the matter within a period of 30 days. “We have raised our objections today which will be looked into by the scrutiny committee,” he added.
“Late Benazir Bhutto had revealed in her book that Nawaz Sharif received money from al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden to contest elections against her in 1990,” he said. "The PPP and the PML-N concealed their accounts, whereas our record is clean and transparent,” he claimed.
Referring to the former ruling party’s dissident lawmakers – against whom the PTI had approached the ECP seeking their disqualification for violating party principle – Farrukh said: “Tomorrow (Tuesday), the ECP will hold an important hearing on those who sold their conscience. If the dissident members partook [in the no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan], then it merits direct disqualification of the lawmakers.”
Meanwhile, PML-N lawyer Jahangir Jadoon, speaking to the media, claimed that ever since the constitution of the scrutiny committee, the PTI had been deploying delaying tactics.
He said that the PML-N had submitted its record to the panel, adding that not a single cheque the party received was illegal.
The foreign funding case was pending since Nov 14, 2014, and it was filed by Akbar S Babar who had alleged that there were financial irregularities in the PTI’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
On January 4 this year, the ECP scrutiny committee, formed in March 2018, submitted its report on the PTI’s foreign funding case after 95 hearings.
Express Tribune
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ECP may seize illegal funds but can’t dissolve party: PTI counsel
ISLAMABAD: Conceding that the law prohibits collecting funds from foreign nationals, the PTI’s lawyer in the foreign funding case argued on Tuesday that the party’s agents were responsible for any illegal funding.
Continuing his arguments in the foreign funding case against PTI before a three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), defence counsel Anwar Mansoor said the agents had clear instructions to collect funds under the Political Parties Order (PPO) of 2002, and therefore they would be responsible for any violations, if proven.
The PTI lawyer said that if the party had collected funding illegally, it could be forfeited. However, he clarified that the ECP had no jurisdiction to dissolve the party.
He said there was a difference between foreign funding and prohibited funding, pointing out that when a state funded a political party, it was called foreign funding.
Party shifts blame onto agents for any prohibited funding; election commission rejects plea to suspend PTI dissidents’ membership
Mr Mansoor, presenting his arguments in response to the ECP’s scrutiny committee report, asked whether the funds sent by an overseas Pakistani could be termed “foreign funding”.
The lawyer contended that a “false narrative” was being created that the PTI was being run on foreign funds. “Several political parties have not shown their funding, but they are openly holding rallies,” he said, without specifying any party.
He insisted that funds coming from Pakistanis residing abroad did not fall under foreign funding.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heads the three-member ECP bench hearing the case. The last hearing was held on April 27, when the PTI refused to continue arguments. It argued that the April 25 order of the intra-court appeal suspending the 30-day deadline directive to the ECP to decide the case also meant that all foreign funding cases should be clubbed together and heard and decided simultaneously.
However, the election commission rejected the plea, after which the PTI sought more time to make further arguments.
This was the third day of PTI’s arguments that were limited to the legal aspects of the case. The party has yet to argue against the findings of the scrutiny committee report regarding foreign and prohibited funding from foreign nationals, including Indians, and foreign companies, and concealing accounts from the ECP.
The PTI lawyer emphasised that all parties should be treated equally. To this, the CEC stated that scrutiny of political financing was an important task of the ECP. He said its political finance wing had recently been strengthened and augmented to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.
He said the ECP had scrutinised accounts of more than 100 political parties and that questions about financing 17 political parties are being processed.
Mr Mansoor, the PTI lawyer, read out the US Foreign Registration Act that demands the registration of agents designated to collect donations by foreign political parties in the United States.
He said the funding collected in the United States was according to US law and if any prohibited funding was received, the responsibility rested with the agent.
He admitted that PTI had been funded by companies registered abroad but advised the ECP that the maximum action it could undertake was to confiscate prohibited funding.
When an ECP member inquired that the PPO 2002 stated that receipt of funds from any foreign nationals put the party in question as a “foreign-aided political party”, the PTI lawyer said he would address the issue later.
Talking to the reporters outside the ECP, the petitioner and PTI founding member, Akbar S. Babar, criticised the recent statements made by PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
He said Mr Khan’s statements were tantamount to undermining the constitutional bodies, including the judiciary, the ECP and the establishment.
Dissidents’ membership
Meanwhile, the ECP on Tuesday rejected a request made by the PTI to suspend the membership of its dissident lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly.
When PTI counsel Azhar Siddique sought the suspension of 25 PTI MPAs in Punjab, a member of the ECP bench simply asked, “Under which law?”
Advocate Faisal Hussain Chaudhry of the PTI also endorsed the view that dissidents’ membership should be suspended.
The ECP will hear arguments on the plea seeking disqualification of 20 dissident members of the National Assembly today (Wednesday) and the 25 members of the Punjab Assembly on May 13.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1689090/ecp-may-seize-illegal-funds-but-cant-dissolve-party-pti-counsel
ISLAMABAD: Conceding that the law prohibits collecting funds from foreign nationals, the PTI’s lawyer in the foreign funding case argued on Tuesday that the party’s agents were responsible for any illegal funding.
Continuing his arguments in the foreign funding case against PTI before a three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), defence counsel Anwar Mansoor said the agents had clear instructions to collect funds under the Political Parties Order (PPO) of 2002, and therefore they would be responsible for any violations, if proven.
The PTI lawyer said that if the party had collected funding illegally, it could be forfeited. However, he clarified that the ECP had no jurisdiction to dissolve the party.
He said there was a difference between foreign funding and prohibited funding, pointing out that when a state funded a political party, it was called foreign funding.
Party shifts blame onto agents for any prohibited funding; election commission rejects plea to suspend PTI dissidents’ membership
Mr Mansoor, presenting his arguments in response to the ECP’s scrutiny committee report, asked whether the funds sent by an overseas Pakistani could be termed “foreign funding”.
The lawyer contended that a “false narrative” was being created that the PTI was being run on foreign funds. “Several political parties have not shown their funding, but they are openly holding rallies,” he said, without specifying any party.
He insisted that funds coming from Pakistanis residing abroad did not fall under foreign funding.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heads the three-member ECP bench hearing the case. The last hearing was held on April 27, when the PTI refused to continue arguments. It argued that the April 25 order of the intra-court appeal suspending the 30-day deadline directive to the ECP to decide the case also meant that all foreign funding cases should be clubbed together and heard and decided simultaneously.
However, the election commission rejected the plea, after which the PTI sought more time to make further arguments.
This was the third day of PTI’s arguments that were limited to the legal aspects of the case. The party has yet to argue against the findings of the scrutiny committee report regarding foreign and prohibited funding from foreign nationals, including Indians, and foreign companies, and concealing accounts from the ECP.
The PTI lawyer emphasised that all parties should be treated equally. To this, the CEC stated that scrutiny of political financing was an important task of the ECP. He said its political finance wing had recently been strengthened and augmented to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.
He said the ECP had scrutinised accounts of more than 100 political parties and that questions about financing 17 political parties are being processed.
Mr Mansoor, the PTI lawyer, read out the US Foreign Registration Act that demands the registration of agents designated to collect donations by foreign political parties in the United States.
He said the funding collected in the United States was according to US law and if any prohibited funding was received, the responsibility rested with the agent.
He admitted that PTI had been funded by companies registered abroad but advised the ECP that the maximum action it could undertake was to confiscate prohibited funding.
When an ECP member inquired that the PPO 2002 stated that receipt of funds from any foreign nationals put the party in question as a “foreign-aided political party”, the PTI lawyer said he would address the issue later.
Talking to the reporters outside the ECP, the petitioner and PTI founding member, Akbar S. Babar, criticised the recent statements made by PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
He said Mr Khan’s statements were tantamount to undermining the constitutional bodies, including the judiciary, the ECP and the establishment.
Dissidents’ membership
Meanwhile, the ECP on Tuesday rejected a request made by the PTI to suspend the membership of its dissident lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly.
When PTI counsel Azhar Siddique sought the suspension of 25 PTI MPAs in Punjab, a member of the ECP bench simply asked, “Under which law?”
Advocate Faisal Hussain Chaudhry of the PTI also endorsed the view that dissidents’ membership should be suspended.
The ECP will hear arguments on the plea seeking disqualification of 20 dissident members of the National Assembly today (Wednesday) and the 25 members of the Punjab Assembly on May 13.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1689090/ecp-may-seize-illegal-funds-but-cant-dissolve-party-pti-counsel
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Anwar Mansoor argued on Wednesday that some people illegally used the party's name to collect funds.
The PTI counsel's arguments came as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) heard the party's foreign funding case earlier today. The counsel maintained that the PTI was registered in the United States in 2010 and that it was not responsible for any funding raised without the permission of the central finance committee.
On ECP Sindh member Nasir Durrani's inquiry about the sources of funding, Mansoor replied that the funding was taken personally and the PTI had submitted all the details of the funding to the scrutiny committee. An external audit of the PTI's funds was also conducted on international standards.
“Checks and balances were kept to prevent the illegal use of funds. In 2013, the central finance committee wrote a letter to improve the party funding system. Before 2013, there were problems in funding on which the party chairman wrote a letter. Warning letters were also issued to those responsible,” the counsel further stated.
The Sindh commission member asked if the party had confidence in Ahsan & Ahsan -auditing firm?
To this, counsel Mansoor replied that Ahsan & Ahsan were not regular auditors and that their report cannot be considered an audit of the PTI.
“Their report was downloaded by the scrutiny committee from the website. The party is not responsible if the agent does something wrong in sending funds. The amount of funding that came from the US, and UK in 2010-11 and the record of all donors were given to the scrutiny committee. It rejected the recorded based on assumptions, the counsel maintained.
Mansoor added that our donation consisted of Pakistanis living abroad and the PTI did not receive any funding from foreigners.
Member Nasir Durrani asked what action was taken by the party if the agents made a mistake. To this, the counsel replied that the party had removed the disruptive agents.
The scrutiny committee report said that 'it appeared' that foreigners had funded the PTI. He added that conclusions cannot be reached from what ‘seemed’ or what could have possibly happened.
“There is no possibility of probabilities in the law. How can a decision be made on the basis of an uncertainty? The questions raised by the committee on funds were not even received by the party," he said.
Member Shah Mohammad Jatoi asked if any legal action was taken against the agents who were removed. “The agent was removed by the party but no action was taken,” the counsel replied. “The agents were allowed to raise funds for the party under the agreement who worked for the party voluntarily.”
Barrister Ahmed Hassan asked the counsel to clarify what country's citizen was Nasrullah.
The ECP adjourned further hearing of the case till tomorrow.
After the hearing, petitioner Akbar S Babar while talking to the media said that the PTI today argued that the full funds collected by two illegal companies opened by the PTI in the US did not reach Pakistan.
"They have disowned the treasurer (Nasrullah) they themselves appointed," the former PTI member said.
“The PTI says that these accounts were operated by Asad Qaiser etc. and today they have disowned their own treasurer, Dr Nasrullah,” Babar said.
Express Tribune
The PTI counsel's arguments came as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) heard the party's foreign funding case earlier today. The counsel maintained that the PTI was registered in the United States in 2010 and that it was not responsible for any funding raised without the permission of the central finance committee.
On ECP Sindh member Nasir Durrani's inquiry about the sources of funding, Mansoor replied that the funding was taken personally and the PTI had submitted all the details of the funding to the scrutiny committee. An external audit of the PTI's funds was also conducted on international standards.
“Checks and balances were kept to prevent the illegal use of funds. In 2013, the central finance committee wrote a letter to improve the party funding system. Before 2013, there were problems in funding on which the party chairman wrote a letter. Warning letters were also issued to those responsible,” the counsel further stated.
The Sindh commission member asked if the party had confidence in Ahsan & Ahsan -auditing firm?
To this, counsel Mansoor replied that Ahsan & Ahsan were not regular auditors and that their report cannot be considered an audit of the PTI.
“Their report was downloaded by the scrutiny committee from the website. The party is not responsible if the agent does something wrong in sending funds. The amount of funding that came from the US, and UK in 2010-11 and the record of all donors were given to the scrutiny committee. It rejected the recorded based on assumptions, the counsel maintained.
Mansoor added that our donation consisted of Pakistanis living abroad and the PTI did not receive any funding from foreigners.
Member Nasir Durrani asked what action was taken by the party if the agents made a mistake. To this, the counsel replied that the party had removed the disruptive agents.
The scrutiny committee report said that 'it appeared' that foreigners had funded the PTI. He added that conclusions cannot be reached from what ‘seemed’ or what could have possibly happened.
“There is no possibility of probabilities in the law. How can a decision be made on the basis of an uncertainty? The questions raised by the committee on funds were not even received by the party," he said.
Member Shah Mohammad Jatoi asked if any legal action was taken against the agents who were removed. “The agent was removed by the party but no action was taken,” the counsel replied. “The agents were allowed to raise funds for the party under the agreement who worked for the party voluntarily.”
Barrister Ahmed Hassan asked the counsel to clarify what country's citizen was Nasrullah.
The ECP adjourned further hearing of the case till tomorrow.
After the hearing, petitioner Akbar S Babar while talking to the media said that the PTI today argued that the full funds collected by two illegal companies opened by the PTI in the US did not reach Pakistan.
"They have disowned the treasurer (Nasrullah) they themselves appointed," the former PTI member said.
“The PTI says that these accounts were operated by Asad Qaiser etc. and today they have disowned their own treasurer, Dr Nasrullah,” Babar said.
Express Tribune
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ISLAMABAD: Responding to former premier Imran Khan’s speech, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday made it clear that any pressure or threat could not influence its decision.
PTI Chairman Imran raised questions on the impartiality of the ECP hearing references seeking the disqualification of 24 MPAs of his party on account of Article 63-A of the Constitution.
Prior to that, the PTI chairman is exerting pressure on the ECP for a decision in its favour.
On Wednesday, the commission had rejected the references filed against the party’s MNAs, who had decided to side with the opposition before its no-confidence motion against ex-PM Imran.
However, the PTI chairman was ousted without their votes.
Now, the ECP is adjudicating the matter related to the disqualification of two dozen MPAs, who had voted for PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz in the election for the chief minister’s position against Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, on account of Article 63-A. The matter is likely to be decided next week.
In his response to Imran’s speech, the ECP has issued a statement wherein it was stated that the commission had decided matters in accordance with the Constitution and law.
Legal experts believe that when the judiciary and establishment are silent on Imran’s criticism, the ECP is the only institution, which is giving a tough time to the PTI in several matters.
The relationship between the PTI government and the ECP could not be termed “cordial”, particularly after the situation arising out of the Daska by-election.
The ECP had raised the issue of the electoral reforms bill, which was already passed by the National Assembly.
The commission had also not complied with the party’s wishes when it had recently opposed the federal government’s presidential reference seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on holding Senate elections through an open ballot without a constitutional amendment.
The ECP had also later refused to take steps for introducing traceable ballots in the recent Senate elections in view of the top court’s opinion in the presidential reference case.
In the foreign funding case, the PTI had challenged the ECP proceedings in the superior courts and acquired a stay order in its favour.
The ECP had also taken notice of the violation of its code of conduct by the PTI leadership, which had participated in the by-election campaign in the country.
Recently, the commission also issued notice to Imran for his speech wherein he raised serious questions on impartiality of the ECP.
Earlier this week, PTI leader Faisal Vawda had filed a complaint of misconduct in the Supreme Judicial Council against one ECP member, Nisar Ahmed Durani.
Similarly, a PTI leader had also announced that he would file a complaint against the chief election commissioner.
Express Tribune
PTI Chairman Imran raised questions on the impartiality of the ECP hearing references seeking the disqualification of 24 MPAs of his party on account of Article 63-A of the Constitution.
Prior to that, the PTI chairman is exerting pressure on the ECP for a decision in its favour.
On Wednesday, the commission had rejected the references filed against the party’s MNAs, who had decided to side with the opposition before its no-confidence motion against ex-PM Imran.
However, the PTI chairman was ousted without their votes.
Now, the ECP is adjudicating the matter related to the disqualification of two dozen MPAs, who had voted for PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz in the election for the chief minister’s position against Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, on account of Article 63-A. The matter is likely to be decided next week.
In his response to Imran’s speech, the ECP has issued a statement wherein it was stated that the commission had decided matters in accordance with the Constitution and law.
Legal experts believe that when the judiciary and establishment are silent on Imran’s criticism, the ECP is the only institution, which is giving a tough time to the PTI in several matters.
The relationship between the PTI government and the ECP could not be termed “cordial”, particularly after the situation arising out of the Daska by-election.
The ECP had raised the issue of the electoral reforms bill, which was already passed by the National Assembly.
The commission had also not complied with the party’s wishes when it had recently opposed the federal government’s presidential reference seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on holding Senate elections through an open ballot without a constitutional amendment.
The ECP had also later refused to take steps for introducing traceable ballots in the recent Senate elections in view of the top court’s opinion in the presidential reference case.
In the foreign funding case, the PTI had challenged the ECP proceedings in the superior courts and acquired a stay order in its favour.
The ECP had also taken notice of the violation of its code of conduct by the PTI leadership, which had participated in the by-election campaign in the country.
Recently, the commission also issued notice to Imran for his speech wherein he raised serious questions on impartiality of the ECP.
Earlier this week, PTI leader Faisal Vawda had filed a complaint of misconduct in the Supreme Judicial Council against one ECP member, Nisar Ahmed Durani.
Similarly, a PTI leader had also announced that he would file a complaint against the chief election commissioner.
Express Tribune
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The PTI has denied receiving funds from “prohibited sources” from abroad and maintained that the party only collected money from Pakistanis.
A three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the PTI foreign funding case on Tuesday.
During the hearing, PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor argued that Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) had been formulated for US law. The US law cannot apply in Pakistan, he said, adding that only the multinational companies fell within the ambit of foreign funding. “No funding from prohibited sources was received from the US.”
Mansoor noted that the scrutiny committee of the ECP had rejected both the party’s and petitioner Akbar S Babar’s documents. He said the committee did not give any reason for rejecting his documents, adding that the body could not refuse to entertain the party’s documents.
“Who conducted forensics in the scrutiny committee?” he asked, pointing out that an expert was required for the purpose. The PTI counsel further said that the scrutiny panel had not submitted the forensic report whereas the one presented before the ECP was an auditor’s one.
He said both Voten Cricket Club and Bristol companies in Dubai were not multinational but local organisations. The owner of Voten Cricket Club, Arif Naqvi, had said that it was a sole ownership local company, the PTI counsel said.
The ECP adjourned the hearing of the case till Wednesday (today). The foreign funding case was first filed in November 2014 by Babar accusing the PTI and its leadership of corruption and receiving illegal funding.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2357102/pti-denies-receiving-funds-from-prohibited-sources
A three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the PTI foreign funding case on Tuesday.
During the hearing, PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor argued that Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) had been formulated for US law. The US law cannot apply in Pakistan, he said, adding that only the multinational companies fell within the ambit of foreign funding. “No funding from prohibited sources was received from the US.”
Mansoor noted that the scrutiny committee of the ECP had rejected both the party’s and petitioner Akbar S Babar’s documents. He said the committee did not give any reason for rejecting his documents, adding that the body could not refuse to entertain the party’s documents.
“Who conducted forensics in the scrutiny committee?” he asked, pointing out that an expert was required for the purpose. The PTI counsel further said that the scrutiny panel had not submitted the forensic report whereas the one presented before the ECP was an auditor’s one.
He said both Voten Cricket Club and Bristol companies in Dubai were not multinational but local organisations. The owner of Voten Cricket Club, Arif Naqvi, had said that it was a sole ownership local company, the PTI counsel said.
The ECP adjourned the hearing of the case till Wednesday (today). The foreign funding case was first filed in November 2014 by Babar accusing the PTI and its leadership of corruption and receiving illegal funding.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2357102/pti-denies-receiving-funds-from-prohibited-sources
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Foreign funding case: PTI says ECP scrutiny panel ‘ignored’ its audits
Party's finance expert questions the findings of the report
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday raised objections over the authenticity of a report by the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) scrutiny committee on foreign funding.
A financial expert of PTI, while arguing before a bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, said the party had submitted its standard audit report but the scrutiny committee ignored it and misperceived the audit accounts.
He contended that the scrutiny committee had ignored the entire report of PTI and misunderstood the audit accounts. He termed the committee’s report shared on January 4 as flawed, saying the proceedings were “one-sided".
He further called into question the scrutiny committee’s ability to function properly, adding it would have been better had the panel spent some time carrying out research with due diligence.
Read PTI wants Akbar Babar out of foreign funding case
“If the scrutiny committee lacked the required expertise it should have sought assistance,” he said and contended that the petitioner had failed to provide the certified documents to the panel. He further claimed that the cheques which had been rejected and returned by the party were also wrongly included in the list shared by the report.
“Large amounts were deposited in some accounts, others are small accounts. There was duplication of depositing amounts,” he argued. “The cheques that were returned have also been shown in the report as deposited,” the PTI consultant said.
“The scrutiny committee didn’t try to understand our contentions,” he said.
However, responding to the objections, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja stressed that the issues which have been covered already by the ECP during the course of its hearings should not be brought up again, asking the finance expert to focus on the statistical aspects of the case.
Meanwhile, PTI’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor assured the commission that he would discuss the figures in detail on Thursday (today).
The ECP adjourned the hearing of the case till 12 noon on Thursday (today).
During the hearing a day earlier, the PTI had denied receiving funds from “prohibited sources” from abroad and maintained that the party only collected money from Pakistanis.
PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor argued that the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) had been formulated for US law. The US law cannot apply in Pakistan, he said, adding that only the multinational companies fell within the ambit of foreign funding. “No funding from prohibited sources was received from the US.”
Mansoor noted that the scrutiny committee of the ECP had rejected both the party’s and petitioner Akbar S Babar’s documents. He said the committee did not give any reason for rejecting his documents, adding that the body could not refuse to entertain the party’s documents.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/235729...ti-says-ecp-scrutiny-panel-ignored-its-audits
Party's finance expert questions the findings of the report
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday raised objections over the authenticity of a report by the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) scrutiny committee on foreign funding.
A financial expert of PTI, while arguing before a bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, said the party had submitted its standard audit report but the scrutiny committee ignored it and misperceived the audit accounts.
He contended that the scrutiny committee had ignored the entire report of PTI and misunderstood the audit accounts. He termed the committee’s report shared on January 4 as flawed, saying the proceedings were “one-sided".
He further called into question the scrutiny committee’s ability to function properly, adding it would have been better had the panel spent some time carrying out research with due diligence.
Read PTI wants Akbar Babar out of foreign funding case
“If the scrutiny committee lacked the required expertise it should have sought assistance,” he said and contended that the petitioner had failed to provide the certified documents to the panel. He further claimed that the cheques which had been rejected and returned by the party were also wrongly included in the list shared by the report.
“Large amounts were deposited in some accounts, others are small accounts. There was duplication of depositing amounts,” he argued. “The cheques that were returned have also been shown in the report as deposited,” the PTI consultant said.
“The scrutiny committee didn’t try to understand our contentions,” he said.
However, responding to the objections, CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja stressed that the issues which have been covered already by the ECP during the course of its hearings should not be brought up again, asking the finance expert to focus on the statistical aspects of the case.
Meanwhile, PTI’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor assured the commission that he would discuss the figures in detail on Thursday (today).
The ECP adjourned the hearing of the case till 12 noon on Thursday (today).
During the hearing a day earlier, the PTI had denied receiving funds from “prohibited sources” from abroad and maintained that the party only collected money from Pakistanis.
PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor argued that the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) had been formulated for US law. The US law cannot apply in Pakistan, he said, adding that only the multinational companies fell within the ambit of foreign funding. “No funding from prohibited sources was received from the US.”
Mansoor noted that the scrutiny committee of the ECP had rejected both the party’s and petitioner Akbar S Babar’s documents. He said the committee did not give any reason for rejecting his documents, adding that the body could not refuse to entertain the party’s documents.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/235729...ti-says-ecp-scrutiny-panel-ignored-its-audits
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and other parties named in the intra court appeal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the electoral body's decision to conclude foreign funding case before deciding other cases.
A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah and comprising Justice Babar Sattar, was hearing the party’s plea alleging that the ECP by singling out the PTI expedited scrutiny of its fund while showing leniency towards other political parties.
Although the PTI could not secure an immediate breather in the case, the court nonetheless directed the parties to submit their replies and fixed the intra-court appeal along with other pleas for Thursday.
PTI's counsel Anwar Mansoor appeared before the court and told the bench that while the ECP was holding hearings on a daily basis against the party, cases pertaining to other political parties were not being heard with such rapid pace.
The scrutiny process kicked off together in 2018 and since the complaint against PTI’s funding was older, the ECP intended to decide it before the other cases, he said.
He lamented that the ECP has not even formed scrutiny committees for other parties, claiming the electoral watchdog was acting with partiality against the PTI.
"Our documents were picked up and exposed to the entire world," the counsel said, referring to the ECP's damming report about the findings of its scrutiny panel.
The lawyer prayed the high court to restrain the ECP from announcing its verdict in the PTI's foreign funding case.
The court issued notices to the parties to submit their replies and fixed the appeal for Thursday.
In April, the PTI had challenged the order to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide on the foreign funding case within 30 days.
PTI's Asad Umar filed an intra-court appeal in the IHC against the earlier decision by the court.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had issued a judgment upholding the ECP’s decision to give access to the case's record to the PTI’s founding member Akbar S Babar and not to remove him from the proceedings.
Subsequently, the court suspended its earlier order directing the ECP to decide the foreign funding case against in 30 days.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah and comprising Justice Babar Sattar, was hearing the party’s plea alleging that the ECP by singling out the PTI expedited scrutiny of its fund while showing leniency towards other political parties.
Although the PTI could not secure an immediate breather in the case, the court nonetheless directed the parties to submit their replies and fixed the intra-court appeal along with other pleas for Thursday.
PTI's counsel Anwar Mansoor appeared before the court and told the bench that while the ECP was holding hearings on a daily basis against the party, cases pertaining to other political parties were not being heard with such rapid pace.
The scrutiny process kicked off together in 2018 and since the complaint against PTI’s funding was older, the ECP intended to decide it before the other cases, he said.
He lamented that the ECP has not even formed scrutiny committees for other parties, claiming the electoral watchdog was acting with partiality against the PTI.
"Our documents were picked up and exposed to the entire world," the counsel said, referring to the ECP's damming report about the findings of its scrutiny panel.
The lawyer prayed the high court to restrain the ECP from announcing its verdict in the PTI's foreign funding case.
The court issued notices to the parties to submit their replies and fixed the appeal for Thursday.
In April, the PTI had challenged the order to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide on the foreign funding case within 30 days.
PTI's Asad Umar filed an intra-court appeal in the IHC against the earlier decision by the court.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had issued a judgment upholding the ECP’s decision to give access to the case's record to the PTI’s founding member Akbar S Babar and not to remove him from the proceedings.
Subsequently, the court suspended its earlier order directing the ECP to decide the foreign funding case against in 30 days.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
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The financial expert representing the PTI in the foreign funding case on Tuesday told the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the documents presented by the petitioner, Akbar S Babar, an estranged but founding member of the party, were based on “assumptions”.
Citing the scrutiny committee’s report, Najam Shah argued that the documents submitted by the petitioner were photocopies instead of the original ones.
A three-member bench of the ECP, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, was hearing the case.
The PTI financial expert further told the bench that the party had submitted all bank records of the party to the commission.
He added that funding from abroad was transferred to audited bank accounts of the party.
Shah maintained that all of PTI’s bank accounts were declared and the party had already given their details.
He added that the scrutiny committee had missed out on the funding that came from the UK.
“The PTI has even declared those accounts that the committee had been unable to discover.”
The lawyer for the petitioner sought copies of the documents submitted to the ECP on Tuesday.
However, Anwar Mansoor, the lawyer representing the PTI, opposed this move citing that the documents were given a “twisted meaning when they were shown outside”.
“Facts are presented in a distorted manner [to the media] that dents the party’s political standing,” he added.
The CEC noted that no new documents had been presented and those submitted earlier were collected in a single file.
On these grounds, the bench rejected the lawyer for the petitioner’s plea for the submission of copies of the documents.
The PTI’s financial expert further told the bench that a sum of Rs1.1 million was transferred to accounts that were un-audited.
The CEC asked him that why these objections were not raised before the scrutiny committee.
Mansoor, the PTI’s lawyer, replied that all reservations were raised but were overlooked.
He added that the committee had worked hard but the results were flawed.
The lawyer for the petitioner informed the bench that Mansoor himself had not appeared before the committee.
The CEC replied that the presence of Mansoor before the committee was unnecessary given that all the teams of all the respondents had already appeared before it.
The commission adjourned the hearing till Wednesday (today).
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Babar told reporters that millions were transferred to the accounts of PTI employees.
He added that he had written a letter to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for a thorough probe into the matter.
“In a few days, the illegal acts [allegedly committed by the PTI] will come to the fore,” he added.
“The PTI has admitted that its accounts exist but hasn’t submitted any details about them to the ECP.”
Babar had filed the case on November 14, 2014, after he developed differences with the PTI chief over internal corruption and abuse of laws governing political funding.
The petitioner alleged that nearly $3 million in illegal foreign funds were collected through two offshore companies, registered under the prime minister’s signature, and that the money was sent through illegal ‘hundi’ channels from the Middle East to accounts of PTI employees.
He also alleged that the foreign accounts used to collect funds were concealed from the annual audit reports submitted to the ECP.
A special committee was formed in March 2018 to investigate the matter. Two officers from the director-general law wing and auditor general office of ECP were included in the committee.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2360587/babars-documents-based-on-assumptions
Citing the scrutiny committee’s report, Najam Shah argued that the documents submitted by the petitioner were photocopies instead of the original ones.
A three-member bench of the ECP, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, was hearing the case.
The PTI financial expert further told the bench that the party had submitted all bank records of the party to the commission.
He added that funding from abroad was transferred to audited bank accounts of the party.
Shah maintained that all of PTI’s bank accounts were declared and the party had already given their details.
He added that the scrutiny committee had missed out on the funding that came from the UK.
“The PTI has even declared those accounts that the committee had been unable to discover.”
The lawyer for the petitioner sought copies of the documents submitted to the ECP on Tuesday.
However, Anwar Mansoor, the lawyer representing the PTI, opposed this move citing that the documents were given a “twisted meaning when they were shown outside”.
“Facts are presented in a distorted manner [to the media] that dents the party’s political standing,” he added.
The CEC noted that no new documents had been presented and those submitted earlier were collected in a single file.
On these grounds, the bench rejected the lawyer for the petitioner’s plea for the submission of copies of the documents.
The PTI’s financial expert further told the bench that a sum of Rs1.1 million was transferred to accounts that were un-audited.
The CEC asked him that why these objections were not raised before the scrutiny committee.
Mansoor, the PTI’s lawyer, replied that all reservations were raised but were overlooked.
He added that the committee had worked hard but the results were flawed.
The lawyer for the petitioner informed the bench that Mansoor himself had not appeared before the committee.
The CEC replied that the presence of Mansoor before the committee was unnecessary given that all the teams of all the respondents had already appeared before it.
The commission adjourned the hearing till Wednesday (today).
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Babar told reporters that millions were transferred to the accounts of PTI employees.
He added that he had written a letter to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for a thorough probe into the matter.
“In a few days, the illegal acts [allegedly committed by the PTI] will come to the fore,” he added.
“The PTI has admitted that its accounts exist but hasn’t submitted any details about them to the ECP.”
Babar had filed the case on November 14, 2014, after he developed differences with the PTI chief over internal corruption and abuse of laws governing political funding.
The petitioner alleged that nearly $3 million in illegal foreign funds were collected through two offshore companies, registered under the prime minister’s signature, and that the money was sent through illegal ‘hundi’ channels from the Middle East to accounts of PTI employees.
He also alleged that the foreign accounts used to collect funds were concealed from the annual audit reports submitted to the ECP.
A special committee was formed in March 2018 to investigate the matter. Two officers from the director-general law wing and auditor general office of ECP were included in the committee.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2360587/babars-documents-based-on-assumptions
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The PTI counsel on Wednesday maintained that the party had no foreign bank account and that all the donors abroad deposited funds through the agents.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) heard the PTI foreign funding case under the chairmanship of the chief election commissioner.
Sindh commission member Nisar Durrani said that party’s donors’ names looked vague. He said names such as Muhammad J and such were not commonly heard.
PTI’s financial expert maintained that the language and accent of many Pakistanis changed when they go abroad, adding that many people were known by other names than their real ones.
The ECP asked why the CNICs of the people whose names were mentioned not written.
The PTI counsel pointed out that the ECP had made the donors’ CNICs and mobile numbers mandatory in 2018.
He said the registration of names confirmed that necessary details of donors were kept from the very beginning and added that any Pakistani could deposit funds in the bank in the form of cash.
He said the donors abroad deposited funds through the agents.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till Tuesday.
Express Tribune
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) heard the PTI foreign funding case under the chairmanship of the chief election commissioner.
Sindh commission member Nisar Durrani said that party’s donors’ names looked vague. He said names such as Muhammad J and such were not commonly heard.
PTI’s financial expert maintained that the language and accent of many Pakistanis changed when they go abroad, adding that many people were known by other names than their real ones.
The ECP asked why the CNICs of the people whose names were mentioned not written.
The PTI counsel pointed out that the ECP had made the donors’ CNICs and mobile numbers mandatory in 2018.
He said the registration of names confirmed that necessary details of donors were kept from the very beginning and added that any Pakistani could deposit funds in the bank in the form of cash.
He said the donors abroad deposited funds through the agents.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till Tuesday.
Express Tribune
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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and party leader Asad Umar were given a 'last chance' on Tuesday to present their arguments on the issue of a fine imposed by a district monitoring officer (DMO).
The assistant counsel for the two leaders appeared before a three-member committee chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
During the hearing, the assistant counsel said that the matter is pending in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), to which the CEC replied that "this case has nothing to do with the case of Islamabad High Court" and added that the ECP is merely hearing an appeal filed against a fine imposed by DMO.
"The election commission is not punishing you that you would have to refer to the Islamabad High Court. If the appeal is withdrawn today, the election commission will end the matter," he added.
The law officer of the ECP also read out the decision of the last IHC hearing. Raja further said that in today's order, it will be mentioned that the case in the IHC and the one in ECP are separate.
The CEC said that if no arguments were given at the next hearing, the election commission would announce its decision. The election commission has to hear cases of delimitation day and night, he said further. The hearing of the matter was then adjourned till June 21.
It may be noted that despite ECP directives, Imran had on March 15 visited Swat and addressed a gathering while he was still in office ahead of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's local government elections that were scheduled for March 31. The ECP had, as a result, imposed a fine of Rs50,000
According to the new ECP code of conduct, no public office holder can visit the districts where elections are/about to being/be held.
Earlier that month, Lower Dir District Monitoring Officer Hameedullah had imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on the then premier for violating the electoral code of conduct. The ECP had twice issued notices to Imran for violating the code of conduct.
The last notice was sent on March 21 for addressing a political rally in K-P’s Malakand. It had directed the then prime minister to appear before the Malakand DMO on March 22 at 10am. According to the notice, “The premier had addressed the rally as part of the PTI’s election campaign and had used state resources.”
Express Tribune
The assistant counsel for the two leaders appeared before a three-member committee chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
During the hearing, the assistant counsel said that the matter is pending in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), to which the CEC replied that "this case has nothing to do with the case of Islamabad High Court" and added that the ECP is merely hearing an appeal filed against a fine imposed by DMO.
"The election commission is not punishing you that you would have to refer to the Islamabad High Court. If the appeal is withdrawn today, the election commission will end the matter," he added.
The law officer of the ECP also read out the decision of the last IHC hearing. Raja further said that in today's order, it will be mentioned that the case in the IHC and the one in ECP are separate.
The CEC said that if no arguments were given at the next hearing, the election commission would announce its decision. The election commission has to hear cases of delimitation day and night, he said further. The hearing of the matter was then adjourned till June 21.
It may be noted that despite ECP directives, Imran had on March 15 visited Swat and addressed a gathering while he was still in office ahead of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's local government elections that were scheduled for March 31. The ECP had, as a result, imposed a fine of Rs50,000
According to the new ECP code of conduct, no public office holder can visit the districts where elections are/about to being/be held.
Earlier that month, Lower Dir District Monitoring Officer Hameedullah had imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on the then premier for violating the electoral code of conduct. The ECP had twice issued notices to Imran for violating the code of conduct.
The last notice was sent on March 21 for addressing a political rally in K-P’s Malakand. It had directed the then prime minister to appear before the Malakand DMO on March 22 at 10am. According to the notice, “The premier had addressed the rally as part of the PTI’s election campaign and had used state resources.”
Express Tribune
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ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Wednesday directed not to mention the PTI's case pertaining to prohibited funding for the party as the "foreign" funding case.
During the hearing of the case the in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today, PTI's lawyer Anwer Mansoor raised an objection over the case being referred to as "foreign funding case".
"We have maintained since the very first day that the case involves prohibited funding but the cause-list still mentions it as 'foreign funding case," Mansoor said.
At this, CEC Sikandar Raja ordered against referring to the case as "foreign funding case."
He, however, told Mansoor that his client also uses the "foreign funding" term for the case but since his stance is right, the directive has been passed in his favour.
The ruling PTI hid funds worth millions of rupees from the ECP, the report of an ECP scrutiny committee probing the party's funds had revealed on January 4.
The report stated that the PTI provided "false information" regarding the party's funding to the ECP. It said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP's) bank statement revealed that the party had received Rs1.64 billion in funding.
According to the report, the party did not disclose funding worth more than Rs310 million to the ECP.
The scrutiny committee was formed in 2019 to audit foreign funding received by the PTI. The case began in 2014 when the party's founding member, Akbar S Babar, filed it.
GEO
During the hearing of the case the in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today, PTI's lawyer Anwer Mansoor raised an objection over the case being referred to as "foreign funding case".
"We have maintained since the very first day that the case involves prohibited funding but the cause-list still mentions it as 'foreign funding case," Mansoor said.
At this, CEC Sikandar Raja ordered against referring to the case as "foreign funding case."
He, however, told Mansoor that his client also uses the "foreign funding" term for the case but since his stance is right, the directive has been passed in his favour.
The ruling PTI hid funds worth millions of rupees from the ECP, the report of an ECP scrutiny committee probing the party's funds had revealed on January 4.
The report stated that the PTI provided "false information" regarding the party's funding to the ECP. It said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP's) bank statement revealed that the party had received Rs1.64 billion in funding.
According to the report, the party did not disclose funding worth more than Rs310 million to the ECP.
The scrutiny committee was formed in 2019 to audit foreign funding received by the PTI. The case began in 2014 when the party's founding member, Akbar S Babar, filed it.
GEO
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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has partially allowed the PTI's intra-court appeal challenging an earlier order that directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide the PTI's prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case by the commission — within 30 days.
A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Babar Sattar, stated in the judgement which was released today that "we partially allow the appeal by setting aside the judgment, dated 01-04-2022, to the extent of the direction 'to decide the pending complaint within period of thirty (30) days'."
The judgement, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, further stated that the ECP was expected to "complete the pending proceedings against other political parties within a reasonable time and in a fair, just and transparent manner".
In the earlier ruling, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had dismissed PTI's petition seeking to keep the party's alleged foreign funding confidential, terming it "non-maintainable" and "misconceived".
He had also rejected the PTI's request to prevent access to the case's record to PTI founding member Akbar S Babar and a request to remove him from the case proceedings.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
Subsequently, the PTI had filed an intra-court appeal in April challenging the IHC's decision.
In the judgement released today, the two-member bench observed that the PTI had raised objections against Babar's participation in the ECP proceedings and the manner in which the case had been dealt with.
The election commission was a constitutional body and was empowered to regulate its own proceedings, the bench observed.
"A plain reading of the [Political Parties] Order of 2002 as a whole affirms that the proceedings thereunder are not of adversarial nature. The status of the respondent, Akbar Sher Babar, is thus no more than an informer. The latter, therefore, cannot assert a right to be treated as if the dispute is of an adversarial nature."
The judgement stated that the ECP's representative had unequivocally stated before the court that cases of all political parties were being dealt with fairly and transparently. "There is nothing on record to indicate that the appellant (PTI) has been treated differently. It would not be appropriate for this court to give a direction to the [Election] Commission on the basis of unsubstantiated apprehensions."
The bench was not persuaded that the PTI had been prejudiced in any manner, the verdict noted. It referred to the statement made by the ECP representative and stated that the court did not have reason to doubt that all political parties would be given equal treatment and their cases would be concluded with due diligence and in a reasonable time.
The "foreign funding" case, which was filed by Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party's funding from Pakistan and abroad.
During a hearing in the case yesterday, the chief election commissioner had declared that the case would be referred to as that of 'prohibited funding' and not foreign funding in the future.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1695123/i...decide-pti-prohibited-funding-case-in-1-month
A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Babar Sattar, stated in the judgement which was released today that "we partially allow the appeal by setting aside the judgment, dated 01-04-2022, to the extent of the direction 'to decide the pending complaint within period of thirty (30) days'."
The judgement, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, further stated that the ECP was expected to "complete the pending proceedings against other political parties within a reasonable time and in a fair, just and transparent manner".
In the earlier ruling, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had dismissed PTI's petition seeking to keep the party's alleged foreign funding confidential, terming it "non-maintainable" and "misconceived".
He had also rejected the PTI's request to prevent access to the case's record to PTI founding member Akbar S Babar and a request to remove him from the case proceedings.
The PTI had filed petitions on January 25 and 31 regarding the above two requests that were subsequently rejected by the ECP on March 15. The party had then filed a petition challenging the ECP's decision to dismiss the pleas.
Subsequently, the PTI had filed an intra-court appeal in April challenging the IHC's decision.
In the judgement released today, the two-member bench observed that the PTI had raised objections against Babar's participation in the ECP proceedings and the manner in which the case had been dealt with.
The election commission was a constitutional body and was empowered to regulate its own proceedings, the bench observed.
"A plain reading of the [Political Parties] Order of 2002 as a whole affirms that the proceedings thereunder are not of adversarial nature. The status of the respondent, Akbar Sher Babar, is thus no more than an informer. The latter, therefore, cannot assert a right to be treated as if the dispute is of an adversarial nature."
The judgement stated that the ECP's representative had unequivocally stated before the court that cases of all political parties were being dealt with fairly and transparently. "There is nothing on record to indicate that the appellant (PTI) has been treated differently. It would not be appropriate for this court to give a direction to the [Election] Commission on the basis of unsubstantiated apprehensions."
The bench was not persuaded that the PTI had been prejudiced in any manner, the verdict noted. It referred to the statement made by the ECP representative and stated that the court did not have reason to doubt that all political parties would be given equal treatment and their cases would be concluded with due diligence and in a reasonable time.
The "foreign funding" case, which was filed by Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party's funding from Pakistan and abroad.
During a hearing in the case yesterday, the chief election commissioner had declared that the case would be referred to as that of 'prohibited funding' and not foreign funding in the future.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1695123/i...decide-pti-prohibited-funding-case-in-1-month
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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved the verdict in the PTI "foreign funding" case.
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja conducted a hearing on the case at the ECP office in Islamabad.
The verdict was reserved after the completion of a briefing by the financial expert brought by PTI founding member Akbar S Babar.
Babar has alleged major irregularities in the party's finances, including in funding from outside Pakistan.
ECP has now concluded the case after seven years of trial, which started in 2014, when Babar filed it. The date the verdict will be announced is yet to be revealed.
During the hearing, the financial expert maintained that audit principles and standards have been ignored in PTI's funds. He claimed that the donors were not third parties but companies created by the party leadership.
Meanwhile, Babar also came to the rostrum to give arguments.
"It is the first time in history that a political party is giving details for its funding sources to the ECP. Every political party should be answerable before the Commission," Babar said.
Meanwhile, CEC Sultan Raja thanked the parties for cooperating and providing details.
"We have to restore the voters' trust and strengthen the country democratically," he said.
He said that the cases of other parties will also be concluded soon and the Commission will ensure that there is no discrimination.
The PTI hid funds worth millions of rupees from the ECP, the report of an ECP scrutiny committee probing the party's funds had revealed on January 4.
The report stated that the PTI provided "false information" regarding the party's funding to the ECP. It said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP's) bank statement revealed that the party had received Rs1.64 billion in funding.
According to the report, the party did not disclose funding worth more than Rs310 million to the ECP.
The scrutiny committee was formed in 2019 to audit foreign funding received by the PTI.
GEO
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja conducted a hearing on the case at the ECP office in Islamabad.
The verdict was reserved after the completion of a briefing by the financial expert brought by PTI founding member Akbar S Babar.
Babar has alleged major irregularities in the party's finances, including in funding from outside Pakistan.
ECP has now concluded the case after seven years of trial, which started in 2014, when Babar filed it. The date the verdict will be announced is yet to be revealed.
During the hearing, the financial expert maintained that audit principles and standards have been ignored in PTI's funds. He claimed that the donors were not third parties but companies created by the party leadership.
Meanwhile, Babar also came to the rostrum to give arguments.
"It is the first time in history that a political party is giving details for its funding sources to the ECP. Every political party should be answerable before the Commission," Babar said.
Meanwhile, CEC Sultan Raja thanked the parties for cooperating and providing details.
"We have to restore the voters' trust and strengthen the country democratically," he said.
He said that the cases of other parties will also be concluded soon and the Commission will ensure that there is no discrimination.
The PTI hid funds worth millions of rupees from the ECP, the report of an ECP scrutiny committee probing the party's funds had revealed on January 4.
The report stated that the PTI provided "false information" regarding the party's funding to the ECP. It said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP's) bank statement revealed that the party had received Rs1.64 billion in funding.
According to the report, the party did not disclose funding worth more than Rs310 million to the ECP.
The scrutiny committee was formed in 2019 to audit foreign funding received by the PTI.
GEO
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I urge the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce long-delayed judgment on PTI foreign funding case. For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated & shameless attacks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country.</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1549252870901489667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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PM Shehbaz urges ECP to announce ‘long-delayed’ judgment in PTI prohibited funding case
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the “long-delayed” judgment in the prohibited funding case, previously referred to as the foreign funding case, against the PTI.
“For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated and shameless attacks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” he tweeted.
The case, which was filed by Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The ECP had reserved its verdict last month.
The premier’s remarks come days after the PTI clinched a sweeping victory on 20 seats in the Punjab by-elections. Subsequently, in an address to supporters yesterday, PTI chairman Imran Khan criticised the ECP for being biased and demanded Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja’s resignation over his alleged favouring of the PML-N in electoral battles.
Imran also claimed that his party won the by-polls despite the use of state machinery as he insisted that early elections were still the only solution to the country’s economic problems.
Following Imran’s address, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz demanded that the ECP issue its verdict in the foreign funding case soon. “There is irrefutable evidence against you (Imran) which has to be revealed inevitably.”
She insisted that Imran’s criticism of the ECP was not due to rigging, which she said did not even take place. “It is the fear of the foreign funding case,” she said.
The foreign funding case
Last month, the ECP had reserved its verdict in the prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — against the PTI, which has not been issued yet.
The petitioner, Babar, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad. The PTI had, however, denied any wrongdoing, and maintains the funding is not from prohibited sources.
On January 4, the ECP’s scrutiny committee, formed in March 2018 to examine the PTI’s foreign funding in one month, finally submitted its report after 95 hearings and nearly four years.
The report, based on eight volumes of record requisitioned through the State Bank of Pakistan, proved that the PTI leadership had committed gross violations of funding laws by allowing the collection of millions of dollars and billions of rupees without any source and details from foreigners, including Indian nationals and foreign companies.
The report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, had also mentioned a refusal by the party to divulge details of large transactions and the panel’s helplessness to get details of PTI’s foreign accounts and the funds collected abroad.
According to the report, the party under-reported an amount of Rs312 million over a four-year period, between FY2009-10 and FY2012-13. Year-wise details show that an amount of over Rs145m was under-reported in FY2012-13 alone.
It also called into question the certificate signed by the PTI chairman, submitted along with the details of PTI’s audited accounts.
DAWN
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the “long-delayed” judgment in the prohibited funding case, previously referred to as the foreign funding case, against the PTI.
“For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated and shameless attacks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” he tweeted.
The case, which was filed by Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The ECP had reserved its verdict last month.
The premier’s remarks come days after the PTI clinched a sweeping victory on 20 seats in the Punjab by-elections. Subsequently, in an address to supporters yesterday, PTI chairman Imran Khan criticised the ECP for being biased and demanded Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja’s resignation over his alleged favouring of the PML-N in electoral battles.
Imran also claimed that his party won the by-polls despite the use of state machinery as he insisted that early elections were still the only solution to the country’s economic problems.
Following Imran’s address, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz demanded that the ECP issue its verdict in the foreign funding case soon. “There is irrefutable evidence against you (Imran) which has to be revealed inevitably.”
She insisted that Imran’s criticism of the ECP was not due to rigging, which she said did not even take place. “It is the fear of the foreign funding case,” she said.
The foreign funding case
Last month, the ECP had reserved its verdict in the prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — against the PTI, which has not been issued yet.
The petitioner, Babar, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad. The PTI had, however, denied any wrongdoing, and maintains the funding is not from prohibited sources.
On January 4, the ECP’s scrutiny committee, formed in March 2018 to examine the PTI’s foreign funding in one month, finally submitted its report after 95 hearings and nearly four years.
The report, based on eight volumes of record requisitioned through the State Bank of Pakistan, proved that the PTI leadership had committed gross violations of funding laws by allowing the collection of millions of dollars and billions of rupees without any source and details from foreigners, including Indian nationals and foreign companies.
The report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, had also mentioned a refusal by the party to divulge details of large transactions and the panel’s helplessness to get details of PTI’s foreign accounts and the funds collected abroad.
According to the report, the party under-reported an amount of Rs312 million over a four-year period, between FY2009-10 and FY2012-13. Year-wise details show that an amount of over Rs145m was under-reported in FY2012-13 alone.
It also called into question the certificate signed by the PTI chairman, submitted along with the details of PTI’s audited accounts.
DAWN
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The ECP need to announce their findings on all 3 parties.
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Nobody will be allowed to violate Constitution: Marriyum
Minister appeals to ECP to announce verdict on PTI foreign funding case
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that no one would be allowed to criticise and violate the Constitution of Pakistan, and the law as well.
Responding to Fawad Chaudhry’s statement, she said that a person who abused and threatened national institutions should not worry about it.
“Imran Khan will not be allowed to play the game of ‘establishment and anti-establishment’ just for a return to power,” she added.
The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had admitted that he took the help of institutions and agencies to run the government for four years.
She said that nobody would be allowed to pressurise the justice system through bullying, threats and abuse.
Marriyum remarked that the narrative of Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was the narrative of the constitution.
She advised Imran to stop dragging the army and judiciary into politics as she opined Imran’s target was institutions and he sought the removal of their leadership.
She maintained that Imran’s narrative of foreign conspiracy was now buried and the new narrative of establishment and anti-establishment has started.
The minister demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should announce the verdict on the foreign funding case immediately.
“Imran wants NRO in foreign funding case through bullying, intimidation, anarchy, rioting and hooliganism,” she maintained.
The full court should hear the case related to the election of the chief minister of Punjab, she said. The full court should simultaneously hear the review petition of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and other related petitions, she added.
Justice on important national, political and constitutional matters should not only be done but it should also be seen to be done, she remarked.
“With the instability created by Imran Khan, the national economy is again at risk of bankruptcy,” Marriyum said. “People are paying the price of Imran Khan’s economic disaster in the form of inflation, unemployment and poverty.”
Express Tribune
Minister appeals to ECP to announce verdict on PTI foreign funding case
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that no one would be allowed to criticise and violate the Constitution of Pakistan, and the law as well.
Responding to Fawad Chaudhry’s statement, she said that a person who abused and threatened national institutions should not worry about it.
“Imran Khan will not be allowed to play the game of ‘establishment and anti-establishment’ just for a return to power,” she added.
The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had admitted that he took the help of institutions and agencies to run the government for four years.
She said that nobody would be allowed to pressurise the justice system through bullying, threats and abuse.
Marriyum remarked that the narrative of Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was the narrative of the constitution.
She advised Imran to stop dragging the army and judiciary into politics as she opined Imran’s target was institutions and he sought the removal of their leadership.
She maintained that Imran’s narrative of foreign conspiracy was now buried and the new narrative of establishment and anti-establishment has started.
The minister demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should announce the verdict on the foreign funding case immediately.
“Imran wants NRO in foreign funding case through bullying, intimidation, anarchy, rioting and hooliganism,” she maintained.
The full court should hear the case related to the election of the chief minister of Punjab, she said. The full court should simultaneously hear the review petition of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and other related petitions, she added.
Justice on important national, political and constitutional matters should not only be done but it should also be seen to be done, she remarked.
“With the instability created by Imran Khan, the national economy is again at risk of bankruptcy,” Marriyum said. “People are paying the price of Imran Khan’s economic disaster in the form of inflation, unemployment and poverty.”
Express Tribune
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PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday said his party was considering filing a "judicial reference" against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja for what he described as the "violation of the election and judicial code of conduct".
"Two days ago, a meeting was held between the Election Commission of Pakistan and the government. In it, they discussed the PTI funding case," he said, claiming that it was a "gross violation" of electoral rules.
Chaudhry was referring to the recently-held meeting between the ECP and a delegation of the ruling alliance in which the former had urged the electoral body to release the verdict in the prohibited funding case against the PTI at the earliest.
The case, previously called the foreign funding case, was filed by Akbar S. Babar and has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The ECP had reserved its verdict in the case last month.
In the past few days, the government and its allies have been demanding that the electoral body immediately announce its verdict in the case.
At a press conference in Islamabad today, Chaudhry said: "The ECP chairman and members receive salaries equal to high court and Supreme Court judges. Even their perks and privileges are similar to judges.
"Thus, the code of conduct that applies to them is that of the superior courts," Chaudhry said. "Never does a judge of the superior court meet the respondents of a case he is hearing. He does not hold discussions over it."
The PTI leader went on to say that the CEC's meeting with the government was also against the judiciary's code of conduct.
"Ignoring these rules, they [the CEC] met a respondent in a pending case and assured them that a decision will be taken," he claimed, adding that the CEC even issued a press release later.
Hence, Chaudhry claimed, this was a "fit case" of proceedings against the election commissioner and officials which would be sent to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
'ECP responsible for economic crisis'
The PTI leader also alleged that the ECP was responsible for the economic crisis the country was mired in today.
Recalling the SC's decision on the National Assembly deputy speaker's controversial ruling on the no-confidence movement against Imran Khan he said: "Back then, the CJP had called the heads of all the parties and it was clear that the SC had the point of view of going towards elections.
"But if you remember, it was the CEC who had said that elections could not be held until October. Today, the crisis in the country is because of that statement of the ECP," he said.
Chaudhry said that ECP's decision at that time "strengthened" the incumbent government.
"Today, Pakistan's currency is the second-worst after Ukraine — a country at war. This is the situation of our economy today and ECP has played the greatest role in this," he stated.
'PM of CDA'
Taking aim at the government, Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had lost his majority in all four provinces, claiming that the federal government had lost all its power.
"He is practically just the PM of CDA (Islamabad's Capital Development Authority). Because of this, he can't take any decisions and the Army chief has to go and talk to the IMF (International Monetary Programme)."
Chaudhry claimed that the government had isolated itself in the world, both diplomatically and financially.
He added that the only reason the government was not going towards elections was that it was afraid PTI would win with "two-thirds majority".
"This is a childish attitude and it will destroy the country."
DAWN
"Two days ago, a meeting was held between the Election Commission of Pakistan and the government. In it, they discussed the PTI funding case," he said, claiming that it was a "gross violation" of electoral rules.
Chaudhry was referring to the recently-held meeting between the ECP and a delegation of the ruling alliance in which the former had urged the electoral body to release the verdict in the prohibited funding case against the PTI at the earliest.
The case, previously called the foreign funding case, was filed by Akbar S. Babar and has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The ECP had reserved its verdict in the case last month.
In the past few days, the government and its allies have been demanding that the electoral body immediately announce its verdict in the case.
At a press conference in Islamabad today, Chaudhry said: "The ECP chairman and members receive salaries equal to high court and Supreme Court judges. Even their perks and privileges are similar to judges.
"Thus, the code of conduct that applies to them is that of the superior courts," Chaudhry said. "Never does a judge of the superior court meet the respondents of a case he is hearing. He does not hold discussions over it."
The PTI leader went on to say that the CEC's meeting with the government was also against the judiciary's code of conduct.
"Ignoring these rules, they [the CEC] met a respondent in a pending case and assured them that a decision will be taken," he claimed, adding that the CEC even issued a press release later.
Hence, Chaudhry claimed, this was a "fit case" of proceedings against the election commissioner and officials which would be sent to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
'ECP responsible for economic crisis'
The PTI leader also alleged that the ECP was responsible for the economic crisis the country was mired in today.
Recalling the SC's decision on the National Assembly deputy speaker's controversial ruling on the no-confidence movement against Imran Khan he said: "Back then, the CJP had called the heads of all the parties and it was clear that the SC had the point of view of going towards elections.
"But if you remember, it was the CEC who had said that elections could not be held until October. Today, the crisis in the country is because of that statement of the ECP," he said.
Chaudhry said that ECP's decision at that time "strengthened" the incumbent government.
"Today, Pakistan's currency is the second-worst after Ukraine — a country at war. This is the situation of our economy today and ECP has played the greatest role in this," he stated.
'PM of CDA'
Taking aim at the government, Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had lost his majority in all four provinces, claiming that the federal government had lost all its power.
"He is practically just the PM of CDA (Islamabad's Capital Development Authority). Because of this, he can't take any decisions and the Army chief has to go and talk to the IMF (International Monetary Programme)."
Chaudhry claimed that the government had isolated itself in the world, both diplomatically and financially.
He added that the only reason the government was not going towards elections was that it was afraid PTI would win with "two-thirds majority".
"This is a childish attitude and it will destroy the country."
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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged the country’s strong military establishment to remain “neutral” during political battle between the ruling alliance and the Imran Khan-led PTI.
“We have to fight a constitutional battle that’s why we are demanding establishment to remain neutral… all institutions should work together to steer the country of crisis,” he said while addressing the party workers in Peshawar on Saturday.
Fazl, whose party is part of the coalition government led by PML-N, said respecting judiciary is incumbent upon everyone and added that he did not have any grudge against any institution but he can’t say this for “individuals”.
“If an individual becomes controversial then it will have far-reaching consequences for the country. People inside the institutions made false cases against us,” he added.
Fazl also warned adversaries against maligning him through false cases, saying he will give “befitting response”.
Speaking about the foreign funding case, Fazl said former prime minister Imran Khan-led PTI rose to power under “international conspiracy” to destroy the cultural values of the country.
“We know the forces behind Imran Khan. Removing him from power is not enough we have to erase him [Imran Khan],” he remarked.
Also read: PDM to launch campaign against SC decision
Referring to the Financial Times (FT) report, he claimed that PTI received illegal funds from Israel and India. “15 people in [Former PM] Imran Khan's cabinet were foreigners.”
According to the report, Arif Naqvi, the founder of the Dubai-based Abraaj Group, held a cricket tournament at Wootton Place, with guests asked to pay between £2,000 and £2,500 each. The money, it added, was said to go to unspecified “philanthropic causes”.
Although the fees were paid to Wootton Cricket Ltd, a Cayman Islands-incorporated company owned by the Abraaj founder, it was used to fund the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with £2 million paid by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, the report added.
Without naming anyone, Fazl apparently asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the verdict in PTI’s prohibited funding case “without any fear”.
Express Tribune
“We have to fight a constitutional battle that’s why we are demanding establishment to remain neutral… all institutions should work together to steer the country of crisis,” he said while addressing the party workers in Peshawar on Saturday.
Fazl, whose party is part of the coalition government led by PML-N, said respecting judiciary is incumbent upon everyone and added that he did not have any grudge against any institution but he can’t say this for “individuals”.
“If an individual becomes controversial then it will have far-reaching consequences for the country. People inside the institutions made false cases against us,” he added.
Fazl also warned adversaries against maligning him through false cases, saying he will give “befitting response”.
Speaking about the foreign funding case, Fazl said former prime minister Imran Khan-led PTI rose to power under “international conspiracy” to destroy the cultural values of the country.
“We know the forces behind Imran Khan. Removing him from power is not enough we have to erase him [Imran Khan],” he remarked.
Also read: PDM to launch campaign against SC decision
Referring to the Financial Times (FT) report, he claimed that PTI received illegal funds from Israel and India. “15 people in [Former PM] Imran Khan's cabinet were foreigners.”
According to the report, Arif Naqvi, the founder of the Dubai-based Abraaj Group, held a cricket tournament at Wootton Place, with guests asked to pay between £2,000 and £2,500 each. The money, it added, was said to go to unspecified “philanthropic causes”.
Although the fees were paid to Wootton Cricket Ltd, a Cayman Islands-incorporated company owned by the Abraaj founder, it was used to fund the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with £2 million paid by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, the report added.
Without naming anyone, Fazl apparently asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the verdict in PTI’s prohibited funding case “without any fear”.
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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday said PTI's foreign funding case verdict — which was reserved on June 21 — will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10am.
From GEO
From GEO
Bewal Express
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Why only PTI, I hope its all 3 parties.
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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce its verdict in the much-delayed prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — against the PTI on Tuesday (August 2) at 10am.
The case, which was filed by party founding member Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who is no longer associated with PTI, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The PTI has denied any wrongdoing and maintains the funding is not from prohibited sources. Last month, ECP reserved its verdict in the case.
According to the ECP website, a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi will preside over the hearing scheduled for tomorrow.
The development comes days after a delegation of the ruling alliance, comprising members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, PPP, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, met ECP officials and urged them to release the verdict in the case.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also urged the ECP to announce its judgment on the long-delayed case.
DAWN
The case, which was filed by party founding member Akbar S Babar, has been pending since Nov 14, 2014. Babar, who is no longer associated with PTI, had alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
The PTI has denied any wrongdoing and maintains the funding is not from prohibited sources. Last month, ECP reserved its verdict in the case.
According to the ECP website, a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi will preside over the hearing scheduled for tomorrow.
The development comes days after a delegation of the ruling alliance, comprising members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, PPP, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, met ECP officials and urged them to release the verdict in the case.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also urged the ECP to announce its judgment on the long-delayed case.
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Is the decision known in advance?
What happens to PTI if decision goes against them?
What happens to PTI if decision goes against them?
Bewal Express
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For a start the SC asked for all 3 party’s to be investigated, if the Nooras and PPP have been fully investigated then the results should be released for all 3 but we know that the ECP is corrupt and will favour these parties. It lost 7 cases since the regime change alone.
For arguments let's assume they find the PTI is found guilty of prohibitive funding then they have to produce a show case notice, then if the response isn't acceptable it goes to the cabinet,obviously they will accept the ECP recommendations, then it goes to the SC. In such a case the SC will fine the PTI the amount of funding it received.
Savak
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According to rumours ECP is going to declare PTI as a foreign funded party and for the party to be disbanded.
Jahangir Tareen is going to launch the Awami Pakistani Tehreek-e-insaf party tomorrow
Jahangir Tareen is going to launch the Awami Pakistani Tehreek-e-insaf party tomorrow
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Where do you hear these rumors?
The public belief in all such institutions will be shattered if this happens, Establishment wouldn’t take such a huge risk.
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Savak
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Reporters like Mubashar Luqman and Mansoor Ali Khan in their Vlogs.
SC has already said this is prohibitive funding case so I don't think that is going to happen.
Tareen has been disqualified by SC (same issue as NS). How can he launch a political party?
Manssor ali khan is a Nooni toady and Luqman has been anti IK for somer time. Take what they say wil a barrel of salt.
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ECP verdict on foreign funding case today
The Commission had reserved the judgment on June 21 this year after a record period of eight years
ISLAMABAD: Amidst a volley of threats hurled by the PTI leadership at the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and its unrelenting demand for his resignation, the Election Commission (EC) finally announced on Monday that the verdict in the PTI foreign funding case will be handed down on Tuesday (today).
A three-member bench, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi, will announce the verdict at 10am, said a statement issued by the Election Commission.
The Commission had reserved the judgment on June 21 this year after a record period of eight years, making it a unique case in the country’s history. The petition was filed by Akbar S. Babar — one of the PTI’s founding members and former information secretary — in November 2014.
The case was marred by several reasons, including the PTI challenging the Election Commission’s jurisdiction, a change of its lawyers nine times and other delaying tactics. Babar had alleged that around $3 million in illegal foreign funds was raised through two offshore companies and the money was illegally sent to the accounts of PTI employees from the Middle East through ‘Hundi’.
He had also alleged that the funds which used to be funneled from abroad were kept hidden in the annual audit report submitted to the Election Commission.
The cause list — issued by the Election Commission — includes the scheduled announcement of the case, triggering a debate in the political circles and the general public on the political future of the PTI and its Chairman Imran Khan.
At one stage, the Election Commission had written to the State Bank to get details of the accounts after the PTI refused to cooperate. The Election Commission had established a three-member Scrutiny Committee in March 2018 to look into the issue of foreign funding.
On October 01 last year, the ECP reserved its verdict on four petitions filed by the PTI for secrecy in examining the case. On October 10, 2019, the Election Commission rejected the objections made by the then ruling party to the audit of its accounts through the Scrutiny Committee, but the PTI challenged the decision in the Islamabad High Court and it was decided to hear the foreign funding case on a daily basis in November 2019.
The Commission had rejected the ‘incomplete’ report of its Scrutiny Committee on 2020 foreign funding case and stated in the order that the report was not complete and comprehensive.
Later, in November 2021, the Scrutiny Committee submitted an audit report of the PTI funds. The committee, constituted in March 2019, had also submitted its report six months after the deadline ended.
The committee report confirmed that the PTI received funds from foreign nationals and companies, showed less funds and several of bank accounts. The report also cited the controversy over allowing four PTI employees to receive donations in their personal accounts but said scrutinizing their accounts was beyond the committee’s purview.
It may be recalled that the Scrutiny Committee was constituted in March 2018 to thoroughly check the accounts of PTI but it took nearly four years to submit its report to the ECP which was submitted in December 2021. The committee had also expressed its helplessness in getting certain related details from the PTI.
However, some documents were kept confidential in this report and were not brought to light after which on January 19, 2022, the Election Commission ordered that all confidential documents be made public.
On April 14, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the Election Commission to decide the case within a month, which was challenged by the PTI and the court order was suspended. The ECP judgment is being awaited by many with a bated breath and speculations are rife that the verdict will give a new turn to the ongoing political crisis.
The News PK
The Commission had reserved the judgment on June 21 this year after a record period of eight years
ISLAMABAD: Amidst a volley of threats hurled by the PTI leadership at the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and its unrelenting demand for his resignation, the Election Commission (EC) finally announced on Monday that the verdict in the PTI foreign funding case will be handed down on Tuesday (today).
A three-member bench, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi, will announce the verdict at 10am, said a statement issued by the Election Commission.
The Commission had reserved the judgment on June 21 this year after a record period of eight years, making it a unique case in the country’s history. The petition was filed by Akbar S. Babar — one of the PTI’s founding members and former information secretary — in November 2014.
The case was marred by several reasons, including the PTI challenging the Election Commission’s jurisdiction, a change of its lawyers nine times and other delaying tactics. Babar had alleged that around $3 million in illegal foreign funds was raised through two offshore companies and the money was illegally sent to the accounts of PTI employees from the Middle East through ‘Hundi’.
He had also alleged that the funds which used to be funneled from abroad were kept hidden in the annual audit report submitted to the Election Commission.
The cause list — issued by the Election Commission — includes the scheduled announcement of the case, triggering a debate in the political circles and the general public on the political future of the PTI and its Chairman Imran Khan.
At one stage, the Election Commission had written to the State Bank to get details of the accounts after the PTI refused to cooperate. The Election Commission had established a three-member Scrutiny Committee in March 2018 to look into the issue of foreign funding.
On October 01 last year, the ECP reserved its verdict on four petitions filed by the PTI for secrecy in examining the case. On October 10, 2019, the Election Commission rejected the objections made by the then ruling party to the audit of its accounts through the Scrutiny Committee, but the PTI challenged the decision in the Islamabad High Court and it was decided to hear the foreign funding case on a daily basis in November 2019.
The Commission had rejected the ‘incomplete’ report of its Scrutiny Committee on 2020 foreign funding case and stated in the order that the report was not complete and comprehensive.
Later, in November 2021, the Scrutiny Committee submitted an audit report of the PTI funds. The committee, constituted in March 2019, had also submitted its report six months after the deadline ended.
The committee report confirmed that the PTI received funds from foreign nationals and companies, showed less funds and several of bank accounts. The report also cited the controversy over allowing four PTI employees to receive donations in their personal accounts but said scrutinizing their accounts was beyond the committee’s purview.
It may be recalled that the Scrutiny Committee was constituted in March 2018 to thoroughly check the accounts of PTI but it took nearly four years to submit its report to the ECP which was submitted in December 2021. The committee had also expressed its helplessness in getting certain related details from the PTI.
However, some documents were kept confidential in this report and were not brought to light after which on January 19, 2022, the Election Commission ordered that all confidential documents be made public.
On April 14, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the Election Commission to decide the case within a month, which was challenged by the PTI and the court order was suspended. The ECP judgment is being awaited by many with a bated breath and speculations are rife that the verdict will give a new turn to the ongoing political crisis.
The News PK
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What will happen if prohibited funding proves against PTI?
In case the verdict comes against PTI and the commission says the party received prohibited funding, then the body will send a reference to the federal government, says Dilshad
ISLAMABAD: All the lawmakers of PTI will be disqualified and its offices will be sealed if prohibited funding is proved against the party, said Former ECP secretary Kanwar Dilshad.
Talking to Geo News ahead of the Election Commission's verdict in the prohibited funding case, Kanwar Dilshad said that in case the verdict comes against PTI and the commission says the party received prohibited funding, then the body will send a reference to the federal government.
Dilshad said that once the government receives the reference, it will then move the Supreme Court and file a reference against the party under Article 17.
The apex court will then hold a hearing with a full bench, he said.
Before the government sends a reference, Dilshad said, the PTI can also challenge the Election Commission's order in the apex court.
In case the SC bans the party, then all the accounts will be frozen, the offices will be sealed, and all the members of parliament will lose their status as lawmakers.
"A pandora's box will open as Akbar S Babar has such evidence," he added.
The News PK
In case the verdict comes against PTI and the commission says the party received prohibited funding, then the body will send a reference to the federal government, says Dilshad
ISLAMABAD: All the lawmakers of PTI will be disqualified and its offices will be sealed if prohibited funding is proved against the party, said Former ECP secretary Kanwar Dilshad.
Talking to Geo News ahead of the Election Commission's verdict in the prohibited funding case, Kanwar Dilshad said that in case the verdict comes against PTI and the commission says the party received prohibited funding, then the body will send a reference to the federal government.
Dilshad said that once the government receives the reference, it will then move the Supreme Court and file a reference against the party under Article 17.
The apex court will then hold a hearing with a full bench, he said.
Before the government sends a reference, Dilshad said, the PTI can also challenge the Election Commission's order in the apex court.
In case the SC bans the party, then all the accounts will be frozen, the offices will be sealed, and all the members of parliament will lose their status as lawmakers.
"A pandora's box will open as Akbar S Babar has such evidence," he added.
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Lahore High Court’s Justice Shahid Karim sought replies from the concerned quarters on a female overseas Pakistani’s plea against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s decision wherein her donation was considered as ‘prohibited funding’ and she was declared a ‘non-Pakistani’.
As proceedings commenced, petitioner Beenish Faridi’s counsel advocate Azhar Siddique implored the court that his client is a national and non-resident citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and currently residing in the United Kingdom with a valid Pakistani passport and NICOP.
He argued that it is regrettable that a clear discriminatory treatment is being meted out to those overseas Pakistanis whose roots are in this country, “who live with the soil of Pakistan, they are loyal to the country but the ECP’s decision presented different look by declaring them non-Pakistani and considering their donation as prohibited funding”.
The petitioner implored the court that it is an undeniable fact that the elections in any country go straight to the core of the principles of democracy and this petition will aim to assist this court in reviewing the legal regime of elections and how there are certain glaring inconsistencies in the same which require immediate interference of this court.
Also read: ECP gives PTI 'last chance' to submit response in funding case
Faridi’s counsel contended that neither the petitioner was heard nor she was given any opportunity to defend herself but through a decision her funds which she used to deposit for public welfare had been considered as ‘prohibited funds’.
He requested the court to declare all the actions, proceedings and orders breaching privacy of the petitioner and other overseas Pakistani as a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights of the petitioner and other Pakistani citizens.
He further requested the court to declare the impugned executive actions in connection with ECP’s impugned proceedings and impugned notices as without jurisdiction.
To which the court while issuing a notice to the federal government sought reply. The court also sought legal assistance of the Attorney General for Pakistan over the matter.
As proceedings commenced, petitioner Beenish Faridi’s counsel advocate Azhar Siddique implored the court that his client is a national and non-resident citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and currently residing in the United Kingdom with a valid Pakistani passport and NICOP.
He argued that it is regrettable that a clear discriminatory treatment is being meted out to those overseas Pakistanis whose roots are in this country, “who live with the soil of Pakistan, they are loyal to the country but the ECP’s decision presented different look by declaring them non-Pakistani and considering their donation as prohibited funding”.
The petitioner implored the court that it is an undeniable fact that the elections in any country go straight to the core of the principles of democracy and this petition will aim to assist this court in reviewing the legal regime of elections and how there are certain glaring inconsistencies in the same which require immediate interference of this court.
Also read: ECP gives PTI 'last chance' to submit response in funding case
Faridi’s counsel contended that neither the petitioner was heard nor she was given any opportunity to defend herself but through a decision her funds which she used to deposit for public welfare had been considered as ‘prohibited funds’.
He requested the court to declare all the actions, proceedings and orders breaching privacy of the petitioner and other overseas Pakistani as a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights of the petitioner and other Pakistani citizens.
He further requested the court to declare the impugned executive actions in connection with ECP’s impugned proceedings and impugned notices as without jurisdiction.
To which the court while issuing a notice to the federal government sought reply. The court also sought legal assistance of the Attorney General for Pakistan over the matter.
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ECP stops the elections so that the mafia aren't humiliated.
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The Elec*tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tues*day gave the PTI another month to file a response in a case related to the forfeiture of prohibited funds, received by the party.
Appearing before a bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor sought more time saying that some ‘unidentified persons’ had taken away the record from the office.
Seeking more time, Mr Mansoor claimed that the ground was being pulled out from beneath PTI’s feet. At this, the CEC observed that political parties keep facing such situations from time and time and that there was nothing to worry about.
Mr Mansoor argued that the situation was very serious as PTI offices were closed and its office-bearers had gone underground. He said he was trying to obtain the record from different sources.
Appearing before a bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, PTI counsel Anwar Mansoor sought more time saying that some ‘unidentified persons’ had taken away the record from the office.
Seeking more time, Mr Mansoor claimed that the ground was being pulled out from beneath PTI’s feet. At this, the CEC observed that political parties keep facing such situations from time and time and that there was nothing to worry about.
Mr Mansoor argued that the situation was very serious as PTI offices were closed and its office-bearers had gone underground. He said he was trying to obtain the record from different sources.
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