Babar accuses ECP scrutiny panel of being under ‘duress’

The electoral body rubbishes claim saying scrutiny committee working according to TORs

A deadlock was created between the ECP’s scrutiny committee and petitioner of the foreign funding case against the PTI Akbar S Babar when the latter expressed his lack of confidence on the former over its method of investigation on the “unverified documents” submitted by the ruling party.

After Babar expressed his lack of trust, the committee refused to conduct further investigation in the matter and informed the ECP that it would not call another meeting for the purpose.

Babar had raised objections on the “unverified” documents submitted by the ruling party to the scrutiny committee.

The panel will prepare a report on the basis of available documents and replies and submit it to the ECP. The election commission will review the report and decide whether or not to continue investigation in the case.

Speaking to media after the meeting, PTI counsel Shah Khawar maintained that the questions raised by Babar had been answered.

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He said the scrutiny committee had never been partial and hoped the report, which will be submitted by the panel, will be based on merit.

Baber while talking to reporters observed that the documents submitted by the PTI with the scrutiny committee were not verified.

The petitioner’s counsel noted that they had already filed an application with the ECP stating that the entire record was available with them and they should themself decide the case.

Meanwhile, the ECP issued a clarification on the allegations levelled by Babar.

The election commission said that the allegation of partiality was against reality and the scrutiny committee was working according to its terms of reference.

ECP spokesperson Altaf Ahmed in a statement maintained that the petitioner and his counsel constantly interfered in the proceedings of the scrutiny committee and tried to bring it under duress.

He said following the interference by Babar, the panel had to end its meeting and added that it would prepare the recommendations on merit and present it to the ECP.