PTI continued receiving foreign funding after 2013: documents

• PTI received $401,956 from October 2014 to March 2015.
• Out of this, $305,000 were transferred to PTI's Pakistan accounts.
• It also got funds from individual donors, foreign-registered entities.

ISLAMABAD: PTI continued to receive foreign funding after 2013 although the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in its ruling stated that the party received funding from 2008 to 2013, The News reported Sunday, citing official documents.

The party received $401,956 from October 2014 to March 2015 which also included foreign-registered entities in the United States.

During this period, PTI leaders Ali Zaidi and Imran Ismail visited the US and organised fundraisers. The party generated $401,956.30 in funds, out of which $305,000 were transferred to the party's accounts in Pakistan.

However, it is unclear which party accounts received these funds. Even the PTI’s Office of International Chapter (OIC) Secretary Abdullah Riar, who deals with the party’s overseas affairs, has no information about the amount in question. 

Interestingly, the party also received funds and donations from individual donors and foreign-registered entities. The documents submitted before the US Department of Justice contain a list of the donors, according to which the party received donations from several foreign-registered companies. 

The ECP, in its foreign funding case verdict, has already declared such transactions as prohibited funding. In its verdict on the PTI foreign funding case, the ECP said that the party “knowingly and willfully” received donations from foreign-registered entities violating Pakistani laws.

“PTI Pakistan, through fundraising campaigns by PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975, was the recipient of donations from 34 foreign nationals and 351 foreign-based companies.

“Collection of donations and contributions from foreign nationals and companies is prohibited and in violation of Pakistani laws,” the verdict says. “Therefore, the matter falls within the ambit of Article 6(3) of the Political Parties Order 2002 (PPO).” 

Article 6(3) of the PPO states: “Any contribution made, directly or indirectly, by any foreign government, a multinational or domestically incorporated public or private company, firm, trade, or professional association shall be prohibited, and the parties may accept contributions and donations only from individuals.”

PTI USA LLC 6160 submitted a supplemental report to the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) from October 2014 to March 2015. The report says that two members of the party’s central executive committee visited the US and carried out fundraising activities on behalf of the PTI. 

Both Zaidi and Ismail organised several fund-raising events in various cities in the states. The report submitted before the US Department of Justice on April 30, 2015, says that the PTI received $401,956 in donations in six months. The party’s US chapter transferred the money to PTI’s accounts in Pakistan in five different tranches. 

According to the documents, the first tranche of $45,000 was transferred on October 29, 2014, the second of $55,000 on November 20, 2014, the third of $55,000 on December 1, 2014, the fourth of $75,000 on December 15, 2014, and the fifth tranche of $75,000 was transferred on February 2, 2015.

The list of donors annexed to the supplementary report shows that several foreign-registered entities also funded the PTI during the period mentioned above. 

The foreign-registered entities that donated to the PTI include Healing Hands of Virginia Fantasy Activewear, SOA AGILITY, Northside Cardiology, SK Financial CPA LLC, Paris Limousine Service Corp, Autobahn Limousine, Marwat Associates, LLC, Suzanne Poulin, Reliable Assets Inc. 

Trading Corporation, Crescent Cleaning Services, Route 69 Country Store, TSC1 Enterprises of Texas LP, and Sunrise Business Inc. Epic Consulting LLC, East West Realty LLC, Medex Research Institute LLC, and Magnum Opus Systems CORP.

Riar, in his response to a written query from this scribe, said: “Please contact parties in question directly to seek your answers. I have no information for the period in question to assist you.”