Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) financial experts objected to the workings of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) scrutiny committee in the party’s foreign funding case.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja admonished them not to bring up previously discussed points, adding that if they did so, the case would be further delayed.
The case was heard by a three-member panel of the ECP, presided over by the CEC.
A financial expert argued that the committee’s method of operation had not been specified prior to its formation. “If the committee lacked professionalism, it could have sought assistance,” he said, adding, “It would have been preferable if the committee had devoted more time to investigating the PTI bank accounts and other details pertaining to the party’s finances.
The financial expert added that Akbar S. Babar, the petitioner in the case, had not provided the committee with verified documents.
The CEC requested that he concentrate on the party’s bank accounts and refrain from commenting on the committee’s report.
The expert continued by stating that the membership fee and financial assistance were distinct entities.
When the member from Sindh inquired as to the legality or illegality of the donations, he responded that the funds were deposited into the PTI’s accounts.
In response to the CEC’s directive that the PTI limit its remarks to the numbers, the party’s attorney, Anwer Mansoor Advocate, stated that he would elaborate on them tomorrow.
Later, while speaking to the media, Babar asserted that the PTI’s financial experts had failed to trace the party’s finances.
The commission then postponed the case’s hearing until tomorrow (Thursday).
