Request for PTI funding record rejected

Akbar S Babr says he will challenge scrutiny committee’s decision before polls supervisory body

ISLAMABAD:

A scrutiny committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected a petitioner’s request to provide him with the records submitted by the ruling PTI in connection with a foreign funding investigation.

Akbar S Babar – a disgruntled member of the PTI – had requested the scrutiny committee to allow him to get copies of the records provided by the ruling party with regard to its funding. However, the scrutiny committee on Tuesday told him that he could view the record only during the meetings.

The committee said it had already stated its stance with regard to the records provided by the political parties. The scrutiny committee later adjourned proceedings till February 15.

On Tuesday Babar – who accuses the PTI of receiving illegal funds from foreign sources – appeared before the committee along with his counsel Ahmed Hasan. The PTI was represented by Shah Khawar.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Akbar S Babar said he would challenge the scrutiny committee’s decision before the ECP, the polls supervisory body. He said the decision to hold the scrutiny committee meetings in-camera also raises eyebrows.

He said the PTI has accepted receiving funds through the employees at its offices and secretariats.

“We have requested the committee to provide us with the bank account details of these employees. I had said it long ago that money was received [from foreign sources] through hundi.”

He said it is illegal to receive party funds through personal accounts. Babar urged the ECP to take action against the key PTI officeholders. “The chief election commissioner must take notice and the ECP must take action on its own,” he added.

Talking to the media outside the ECP headquarters, PTI lawmaker Farrukh Habib asked the opposition parties to also submit details and sources of their funding to the ECP. He said now the opposition parties cannot hide their illegal funding.

“All the opposition parties should be held accountable for their funds and expenses. As per Political Parties Act, it is mandatory for all the parties to submit their income and expenses with signature of the auditor,” he added.

Turning his guns on the PML-N, he said the leaders of the biggest opposition party should also submit details of the party funds to the ECP to clear their position.

"Income of the PML-N is less than its overall expenses. The PML-N leadership has to answer how the party has managed the increased expenditures and should submit all receipts and other related details to the ECP," he added.

He asked PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz to try to come clean about the funding issue rather than staging a protest in front of the ECP building. “Instead of blackmailing state institutions, the opposition parties should focus on submitting records of their funding to the ECP."

“The nation is fed up with the false narrative of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). They are misleading the masses and leveling false allegations," he said, adding that the scrutiny committee had been working as per directions of the ECP.

(With input from APP)