Foreign funding case: PTI dismisses Hanif Abbasi's allegations

ISLAMABAD: Dismissing the allegations levelled by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Hanif Abbasi against Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday submitted its detailed reply, comprising 700-pages, to the Supreme Court in foreign funding case.

The PTI has asserted that the allegations were levelled with a malicious intention by the ruling party without having concrete proofs to corroborate their stance.

The reply further states that the party leaders collected funds from people with dual nationalities while dispelling the implications suggesting the funds were collected by foreign nationals and through illegal means.

The reply laid emphasis that the constitution of the country does not discriminate between Muslims and Non-Muslims but the PML-N’s petition by mentioning a term ‘Non-Muslims’ and making claims that the PTI has accumulated funds from them show the ruling party’s prejudices and discriminating views towards the minorities reside in the country.

The reply further added that the allegations by the petitioner seek to oppress the religious-minority communities of the country while asserting that minorities have played a crucial role in the development of the country.

PTI Chief Imran Khan has already submitted all the details pertaining to funds raising abroad in the top court. However, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also raised funds abroad but the parties have yet to submit details of their funding, the reply added.

It is to be mentioned here that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s leader Hanif Abbasi on May 3 filed a petition in the apex court, seeking disqualification of PTI chairman Imran Khan and another party leader Jahangir Tareen for tax evasion and concealing money sources.

Petitioner Hanif Abbasi had alleged PTI chairman Imran Khan as party to an international conspiracy against Pakistan to slow down the development pace in the country, 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.