Where the PTI gets its money?

There are few examples, if any, in Pakistan of political parties receiving funds from foreign entities, companies or government. Until now.

Last month, after much delay and foot-dragging, the counsel for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan that is hearing a case, since 2015, of the party not disclosing funds that were funnelled to it through foreign sources.

Under Pakistan’s law, a foreigner or a foreign company cannot bankroll a political party or its representative. Article 17, section 3, of the constitution states, “Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with the law.” It is ironic that the PTI, which has often accused other political lawmakers of not being Sadiq or Ameen, and called for their disqualification, have themselves breached the law.

This party wants the prime minister and the government to exhibit its money trails, whilst on the other hand, it has shied away from answering questions about its own.

And this is not the only time the party chairman, Imran Khan, has disregarded the country’s rules and regulations. The Capital Development Authority recently submitted a damning report in the Supreme Court. In the report, it stated that 122 properties in Islamabad’s Bani Gala were constructed illegally, including Khan’s own 300-kanal abode.

Khan and his party members should remember that in principle of fairness if anyone approaches the court of law for justice, he or she should ensure that their own hands are clean.

Coming back to the case of foreign money, the PTI can no longer ignore the ECP hearings or stall it by adjournment motions. It must tell its party loyalists and Pakistan how it financed the lockdowns in the capital or how it is paid to pursue the Panama papers case in the apex court?

For Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf to be a party of the future it must clear up its past.

It can also take a cue from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was willing to appear before the court of law in the Panama leaks hearing. Not only him, his daughter, who has no official position in the government, and his sons, also offered the court any assistance that may be required.

In a bid to clean up the stables and bring more transparency, the PTI must furnish the details of its foreign funds and explain their source and route.

As for those who are readying to join the political entity, I have this to say: The state should come first, the subject second, and the statesman last.

Hameed is the member of national assembly from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Note: The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Geo News, The News or the Jang Group