The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday gave four more weeks to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to submit an answer to a show cause notice regarding the confiscation of prohibited funding, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A three-member ECP bench, headed by the chief election commissioner (CEC), conducted the hearing. Lawyer Anwar Mansoor appeared before the ECP bench on behalf of the PTI.
“At this time the matter is very serious. Unknown people have taken all the records from our office. The PTI offices are closed at the moment. The office-bearers have gone into hiding. I have been trying to obtain records from different sources,” Anwar Mansoor told the ECP bench.
“But the record is with you and with us,” ECP Member Nisar Durrani said to the lawyer.
“We also ordered more records from foreign countries. What arguments should I give on the absence of records?” Anwar Mansoor replied.
“This case is related to the confiscation of prohibited funding. The ECP has announced the decision of the main case. If you want to challenge the decision of the main case, approach the relevant forum,” the CEC said.
“The ECP has given the final decision on the main case based on the facts. It started the funding confiscation case 10 months ago. Even after 10 months, the reply has not been submitted to date,” he added.
“I have already filed the initial response,” lawyer Anwar Mansoor said and requested more time to submit the reply.
“This case cannot be postponed indefinitely. The companies that have provided prohibited funding to PTI need to be explained. Please tell in writing that the records are not available. The decision will be announced then,” the CEC said to the lawyer.
Anwar Mansoor requested to give one more month for submitting the reply, stating that circumstances had not been good for the party.
“Such circumstances happen to the political parties in Pakistan. No need to worry too much about it,” the CEC pointed out.
The ECP then approved Anwar Mansoor’s request for more time and gave four weeks to submit the reply.
Further hearing of the case was adjourned till July 6 next.
Reporter: Usman Khan