Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) received prohibited funding.
A three-member ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikander (CEC) Sultan Raja, in a unanimous verdict which was reserved on June 21, announced that the PTI received prohibited funding and issued a show-cause notice to the party.
The commission found that 34 foreign donations were taken in fundraising. The donations were taken from America, Australia, Canada and the UAE, the ECP said added, the PTI took funds from an American businessman.
The commission also said that PTI chief Imran Khan had submitted a “misdeclaration” with the commission. The PTI chairman kept accounts hidden which is a violation of the Constitution, it said.
The prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — was filed by PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar and has been pending since November 14, 2014.
According to Article 17 (2) of the Constitution, “Law shall provide that where the Federal Government declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the soverignty or integrity of Pakistan, the Federal Government shall, within fifeen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.”
Article 17 (3) states: “Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.”