ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea to not reveal details of its funding.
The petition was filed by the disgruntled PTI founder Akbar S Babar against PTI’s alleged ‘illegal and foreign’ funding in November 2014.
During the hearing Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Sardar Raza Khan, observed that the PTI’s stance from day one has been that the ECP is not a court or tribunal.
The PTI’s counsel Anwar Mansoor, argued that the ECP can hear the case but not share details of the party’s funding record with the petitioner, adding that the auditor general can be requested to help with the investigation into the party’s funding record.
The ECP then reserved its decision and will announce the verdict on March 7.
On Wednesday the ECP ordered petitioner Akbar S. Babar to present the documents of PTI accounts. PTI’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor was absent from the hearing of the foreign-funding case against the party.
Commenting on the request, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) ECP’s member Irshad Qaiser said that the party is using delay tactics to avoid punishment.
“Party is taking cover behind stay orders,” said Qaiser. “The Supreme Court decides on cases within a span of few months. Delay [in this case] can damage ECP’s standing,” remarked ECP’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) member Irshad Qaiser.
Speaking to the media, Tariq claimed that the party was not involved in any wrongdoing.
“Our hands are clean. Everyone knows Imran Khan is Sadiq [honest] and Ameen [truthful],” he said, adding that PTI had submitted all documents in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court.
He further alleged that efforts were being made to defame Imran.
