The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the much-awaited banned funding case against PTI.
The case filed by Akbar S Babar is pending since November 14, 2014. Babar, who was a founding member of the PTI but is no longer associated with it, alleged serious financial irregularities in the party’s funding from Pakistan and abroad.
A bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over the hearing. CEC Raja commented that the case against PTI has come to an end, adding that the election watchdog wants to wrap up cases against other political parties as well.
The petitioner’s financial expert, Arsalan Vardak, pointed out that it was an “established fact” that the money was received from Britain. He also highlighted that no one knew about the origin of the money received from Canada.
“Money was received from Vote Cricket Limited for which the registration number has been provided. Another $49,000 was received from another company in the UAE,” he said.
The financial expert also highlighted that many details were missing in the donor lists. “PTI received funding from 13 countries” […] There is no record of Rs 2 crore received in the office of PTI chairman.
Vardak said 41 out of 50 banks did not respond to the inquiry committee’s inquiries, pointing to the possibility of more accounts being present. He alleged that PTI ignored the principles and standards of auditing.
He claimed that the donations were made from PTI’s own companies instead of third party companies.
more to follow