FIA seeks foreign countries' assistance in PTI funding case

Top probing authority writes letters to UAE and US for information pertaining to certain companies

ISLAMABAD:

As former premier Imran Khan’s PTI remains under the scanner in prohibited funding controversy, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has sent letters to over six countries, including the United Arab Emirates and the United States, seeking information and assistance for the probe.

In a letter written by the financial monitoring unit to the UAE, the country’s top investigative agency has sought assistance and details pertaining to a cricket club and the Abraaj Group, while seeking assistance.

Similarly, in another letter, the FIA has asked for information about an individual named Obida Shetty in Singapore apparently shown to have some links to the alleged shady transactions.

Also read: PTI funding probe: President Alvi among others received funds from ‘fake accounts’

Meanwhile, a similar letter sent to the authorities in the United States requests information about companies in the country and seeks access to other relevant information. All the companies operating from there had shown transactions to the accounts of various leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, sources privy to the matter said.

The Federal Investigation Agency had kickstarted its countrywide investigation earlier this month into the utilisation of funds from “prohibited” sources by PTI after an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruling that the party secured illegal donations.

A total of six inquiries have been opened simultaneously in major cities of Pakistan, including federal capital Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi.

Read more Foreign funding case: If found guilty, PTI may only face confiscation of funds

According to FIA authorities, 13 accounts have been identified in which these funds were transferred, and the agency has issued notices to the banks under which these accounts have been operating.

It is pertinent to note that the top agency has justified its inquiry into the PTI prohibited funding case, saying it is only probing the alleged bank irregularities within its mandate.

In a reply submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which is hearing the PTI’s petition against the inquiry, the FIA has explained that it was strictly inquiring into the alleged illegalities within its mandate vested under laws concerning the businesses of banks, and not under laws that stipulated regulations for party funding.