ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has on Wednesday decided to issue a show-cause notice in the foreign funding case, rejecting the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to cross-examine key witnesses. .
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja resumed the hearing today and delivered the verdict, which was reserved for December 20.
The ECP issued a verdict on 2 August 2022, documenting financial fraud and illegal funding of more than $7 million, and issued a show-cause notice to PTI in August 2022 to justify that Why not take further legal action against him for serious financial irregularities.
However, instead of responding to the show cause, PTI filed a fresh application for cross-examination of key witnesses.
The election body rejected PTI’s request for cross-examination of the Scrutiny Committee and bank officials. Apart from this, the objections raised by the party against CEC Raja’s show cause notice were also dismissed.
Today’s hearing
During the hearing, the Chief Election Commissioner questioned the progress of the case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
“What was the decision of the IHC?” he asked.
To which PTI’s lawyer Nadeem Amjad replied that the Islamabad High Court has directed the ECP to hear the parties.
CEC Raja remarked that the Election Commission was not prevented from proceeding. “Now let’s take this case forward,” he added.
He said that PTI sought six weeks time for arguments and the proceedings took place on August 23, now six months have passed.
CEC said that time was sought to obtain records from abroad.
PTI’s counsel filed an application to adjourn the hearing of the case for two weeks.
To which the Chief Election Commissioner replied that two weeks cannot be given yet.
The Election Commission adjourned the hearing of the case till March 28.
The case
In a unanimous judgement, a three-judge bench of the Election Commission said on August 2, 2022, that it found that the PTI received prohibited funding.
The case was earlier referred to as a “foreign funding” case, but later the Election Commission accepted PTI’s request to call it a “prohibited funding” case.
According to the 68-page order, the commission said that PTI under the leadership of Imran Khan actually received funding from foreign companies and individuals which it concealed.
The ECP verdict said that PTI received funds from 34 individuals and 351 businesses, including companies.
Thirteen unknown accounts have also come to light, the commission said in the verdict, adding that concealment of accounts is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution.
Further, the ECP found that the PTI Chairperson submitted a fake nomination form I and the affidavit provided regarding the party accounts was false.
