PTI foreign funding petition not worthy of being heard by SC: Imran Khan
Justice Umar Ata Bindial points out that ECP has the right to investigate parties’ funds
May 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan believes the foreign funding case of his political party being heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan is not worthy of being heard by the apex court.
PTI's counsel Anwar Masood apprised the three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar about his client's viewpoint.
Masood added, that he was making the statement after consulting with Imran Khan.
The case is a result of a petition filed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi.
During proceedings, PTI’s counsel raised objections to the petition.
The opposing counsel raised their concerns and remarked that “Imran Khan failed to implement orders of the court,” adding that he even failed to submit a reply pertaining to the notice.
The court had issued written notices regarding Imran Khan and Jemaima’s bank account details. The court had granted him time till May 19, but no details were furnished, pointed out Abbasi’s legal counsel.
The Chief Justive remarked, “Does ECP not have the right to probe foreign funding charges after the elections?”
He added, “Elections are held after every five years. If an inquiry into foreign funding comes to the front after four-and-an-half years, then can ECP not probe it?”
The PTI lawyer informed the court that parties’ account details are submitted every year. Upon which, the CJP asked him, “can the ECP not raise questions over foreign funding after the year has passed?”
The CJP pointed out that the political parties ordinance seeks to make political parties transparent.
Justice Umar Atta Bindial pointed out that if the ECP has the right to hold elections then it also has the right to investigate parties’ funds.
Justice Faisal Arab remarked that it is not necessary that parties show foreign funding in their accounts.
He added that a party which does not take foreign funding is questioning the jurisdiction of the ECP.
Thieves create commotion to hide their crime: Fawad Chaudhry
PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry remarked that thieves create commotion to hide their crimes while speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court.
Taking a jibe at his political opponents, he termed their tactics as a ‘shor machao policy’ [create commotion].
“We don’t know about the funds of the other parties. Funds of all the parties should be made transparent," before adding, “if you want to see our funds, then let us see your funds too.”
He also said that the PTI has nothing to hide and it has shared details of all its accounts online, on its website. “We are the only party to have done so.”
PML-N leaders bash Imran Khan
Speaking to the media, Hanif Abbasi said that Imran Khan managed to evade scrutiny yet again. “Verdicts are coming against Imran Khan yet he is not willing to appear before the courts.”
Imran Khan’s lawyer accepted that they took around USD 600,000. Imran Khan took money for the well-being of people affected by floods and then spent it on his party.
When it comes to what he wants Imran Khan says that institutions should be surrounded, he remarked.
On the other hand, PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz said that three weeks have passed and Imran Khan has still not submitted his money trail. Imran Khan even failed to submit the money trail of his house in Bani Gala, he added.
