Imran Khan disqualification case: PTI's details insufficient, observes SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, on Tuesday apparently expressed dissatisfaction on records provided by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan with regard to his Bani Gala property while ruling that the party chief has still to submit the details, ARY News reported.

The court was hearing a petition, seeking disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan, when the bench noted that the contradictory stances have been adopted by the party counsel.

During the court proceedings today, the petitioner’s lawyer – Akram Sheikh – argued that the PTI has been submitting the records of its choice as the party chief has provided the top court with details of Niazi Services’ single bank account despite the fact that the company has two separate bank accounts.

Hearing the argument, the CJP remarked that the court would thoroughly consider various issues highlighted in the petition with regard to money trail, foreign property, Bani Gala residence, and party foreign funding.

“The bench still seeks details on various issues, [which have been] highlighted in the petition,” the CJP asserted, adding the bench could issue directives of probing contradictory statements in connection with the financial records.

To which , PTI counsel Naeem Bhukari said that he has been submitting the documents as per the court orders while assuring the bench that he would try his best to satisfy the court.

The chief justice then asked for the details of funds sent by Imran Khan’s former spouse Jemima for purchase of Bani Gala property. “PTI chief’s reply does not include money trail details regarding 160,000 pounds,” CJP Saqib Nisar further said.

The bench then adjourned the hearing till September 26.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s leader Hanif Abbasi filed a petition in the apex court in May this year, seeking disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan and another party leader Jahangir Tareen for tax evasion and concealing income sources.

Petitioner Hanif Abbasi had alleged PTI chairman Imran Khan has been impeding ongoing development projects being part of an international conspiracy against Pakistan, which he believed had gained momentum in current tenure of the ruling party.

The petition is being heard by a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nasir, Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Faisal Arab.