ECP orders PTI to deposit Rs50,000 in prohibited funding case

In its order in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) prohibited funding case issued on Saturday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered the party to deposit Rs50,000 in the Deputy Director Law’s office, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The electoral body, in its order bearing the signature of the chief election commissioner (CEC), said the amount would be handed to an orphanage.

The election commission also ordered the party to reply to the show-cause notice on August 22, 2023.

Furthermore, the ECP made it clear to the party that in the event of its non-reply, it would be left with no option but to dispose of the case. “The commission will give its verdict in the case on the basis of available record,” read the order.

It was also stated in the order that the respondent was using tactics to prolong hearing of the case.

On August 2, 2022, the ECP, in a unanimous verdict, had declared that the PTI did indeed receive prohibited funding.

The ECP had found that the PTI received donations from America, Australia, Canada, and the UAE. “The PTI received funds from 34 individuals and 351 businesses, including companies,” read the ECP’s verdict.

Later in the same month, the PTI moved the IHC, seeking annulment of the order passed by the ECP.

During the hearing, the court had observed that the ECP’s responsibility was merely to do what the constitution permitted — which was limited to the confiscation of funds.

The court had observed that should the PTI present in the court satisfactory evidence, the amount would not be confiscated.

The PTI counsel had argued that the ECP had declared it a “foreign-aided” party and had rejected the declaration of PTI chief Imran Khan false.

“Political parties’ finances are looked after by a chartered accountant,” he argued. “The ECP has targeted PTI.”

 

 Reporter: Usman Khan