PTI challenges ECP verdict in prohibited funding case in IHC
Omar Ayub files petition pleading the court to declare ECP verdict null and void: IHC reserves judgement on notices to PTI’s secretariat employees: SC directs PTI to file new plea against constituencies’ delimitations
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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict in the party’s prohibited funding case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
PTI Additional Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan filed the petition in which the ECP was named as respondent and it was prayed to the court to declare its verdict null and void.
Eight days ago, on August 2, 2022, the ECP, in its unanimous decision, had declared that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had received ‘prohibited funding’ from 34 foreigners, including the LLC, America.
In its 70-page verdict, read out by the chief election commissioner, the ECP declared that the PTI received funds from 34 foreigners and 351 business personalities. The PTI owned only eight bank accounts, concealed 16 and disowned 13 accounts, it elaborated.
“The case of prohibited funding has been proved against the PTI,” the commission said, adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had submitted fake declarations to the ECP.
The commission also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI, demanding an explanation from the party chief on prohibited funding.
IHC reserves judgement on notices to PTI’s secretariat employees
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday reserved the judgment on notices to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) secretariat employees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq conducted the hearing.
“The FIA did not state the reason for the summons in the notices,” the lawyer for the PTI told the court.
“The FIA issued notices against its own circular,” Justice Aamer Farooq pointed out.
“The FIA Cyber Crime Wing has issued notices,” the PTI lawyer adopted before the court.
“Are you trying to say that each wing of the FIA has a different method of inquiry?” questioned Justice Aamer Farooq.
“There is nothing wrong in writing the reason in FIA’s notice. The FIA is bound to tell the purpose for which a person is being summoned. The FIA did not fulfil its duty by not writing the reason in the notice,” Justice Aamer Farooq remarked.
“The court should bind the FIA to follow the procedure,” said the PTI lawyer.
SC directs PTI to file new plea against constituencies’ delimitations
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to either amend or submit a new petition in which it has challenged the delimitations of constituencies by the Election Commission of Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the PTI petition against the ECP’s new delimitations of constituencies on Wednesday.
During the hearing, Justice Ahsan remarked that the PTI petition was challenging those delimitations of constituencies which had already been notified by the ECP. The judge asked the PTI either amend its petition or bring a new one.
However, PTI lawyer Faisal Ch told the court that a new petition would be submitted against the delimitations of constituencies and the Aug 3 notification of the ECP would be challenged.
After accepting the PTI lawyer’s plea for a new application, the court adjourned the case for an indefinite period of time.
Reporters: Ihtesham Kiyani and Imanat Gishkori