ECP returns PTI petition for audit of PML-N foreign funds

Petitioner told to submit fresh application in accordance with Election Act, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday returned a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking audit of foreign funding to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The election regulator informed PTI member Farukh Habib, through a letter, that his petition was filed under the Political Parties Order, 2002 which had been repealed with the Election Act, 2017.

Habib’s petition asked ECP to scrutinse PML-N funds, just like it is doing in case of the PTI.

The ECP’s director general law, in his letter, asked the petitioner to submit a fresh application in accordance with Election Act, 2017 that was passed by parliament last month.



Counsel for the petitioner Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, while talking to The Express Tribune, said it was ironic that ECP had returned his client’s application which was filed when the new law was not in force.

“ECP is still conducting hearing into the case related to party accounts of the PTI under the same old law,” he added.

The case against PTI’s foreign funding has been pending for more than two years. Akbar S Babar, a disgruntled PTI member, had asked ECP for an audit of the party’s accounts.



The case also led PTI chief Imran Khan to face contempt of court charges when he criticised ECP and alleged that the commission had a biased attitude when it comes to matters related to his party.

The contempt charges against Khan were dropped last week when he appeared before the commission and submitted a written apology for his harsh words.

PTI activists have recently filed applications with ECP to conduct the audit of funding to other parties, including the PML-N and the PPP.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry said he would be filing a fresh petition after consulting his client, but insisted that the ECP should have proceeded with the petition he had filed earlier instead of returning it on the pretext of the enactment of a new law.