ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday admitted that charity funds of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) were invested in two offshore companies.
The PTI chairman made these shocking revelations during the hearing of a defamation case filed by him against Defense Minister Khawaja Asif in connection with allegations of misappropriation of cancer hospital donations.
Khan had filed a Rs 10 billion defamation suit against Asif in 2012 for alleging non-transparency, money laundering and use of anonymous companies in the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust’s funds. Khan had termed these allegations as false and defamatory.
Imran Khan appeared in the District and Sessions Court of Islamabad through video link and denied the allegations leveled by Asif regarding the funds of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and termed them as baseless.
During cross-examination, Khan said: “I am not aware of the decisions of Shaukat Khanum Hospital, the hospital board does not consult me before taking decisions. Now I know that the hospital invested funds in two offshore companies.”
Khan told the court that in 2008, the hospital’s funds of $3 million were invested in a housing project, but the money was returned to the hospital in 2015.
Khan said: “Shaukat Khanum Hospital is the largest health institution. I am the biggest fundraiser in Pakistan. Khawaja Asif made baseless allegations against me.”
He maintained that no one would donate if his expenses were questioned, adding that he “wanted to save the hospital [from closing]”.
Khan said that PTI is the only party in the country which runs on donations. He requested the court to decide the case as soon as possible.
Speaking on the occasion, the PTI leader praised Asif’s lawyer and said that he fought the case very well. Scoffing at this, Khan said: “It was not a case but you made it a case. I will consider hiring you in future.”
Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till March 4.
