ECP gives deadline to PTI to submit documents relating party funds

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday that it would hear Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) funding case and sought details of court proceedings in similar cases being heard by the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court, ARY News reported.

A petition was filed by a PTI former leader Akbar Babar earlier this year alleged that PTI Chief Imran Khan has committed contempt of court in his comments on the party funds, claiming that he had not apologized to the ECP over his comments instead his counsel did so in his personal capacity.

During the court proceeding, the bench noted that a case pertaining to party funding falls under jurisdiction of the election commission by seeking details of party funding during 2010 to 2013.

Lawyer to PTI apprised the bench that Supreme Court was already hearing a case relating to the party funds.

The bench ruled that the ECP would hear a case pertained to party funds besides the contempt of court. The bench also sought details of IHC and Supreme Court proceedings.

The bench adjourned the hearing till May 17 – giving deadline to PTI for submission of required documents relating to the party funds.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Hanif Abbasi has also filed a petition seeking disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan and another party leader Jahangir Tareen over financial corruption and concealing offshore assets.

CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION

The final verdict on violation of the election commission’s code of conduct against the PTI chief was due to be announced today (Monday) but the IHC had barred the election commission to announce the same in its hearing last week.

A plea was filed last week by PTI chairman’s lawyer Babar Awan arguing the opposition political parties were being barred to hold rallies and public gathering by design while pleading the bench to nullify the notifications issued by the ECP calling them illegal and with malicious intent.