Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistani-American donor Mehboob Aslam claimed on Saturday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf cannot ensure provision of justice to the common people when it cannot provide justice to its own worker.
Addressing a press conference at the residence of a PTI’s founder member Akbar Babar, Aslam said Imran Khan was surrounded by opportunists and land grabbers, who were being consulted to run the party affairs while ideological workers had been sidelined.
He said he had worked for the party in the US and had raised funds worth $3 million for the 2008 general elections.
“However, when I visited Pakistan, reviewed the causes of the party’s defeat in the polls and talked with ideological workers, I found that the party had been hijacked by corrupt and bankrupt people, who had been assigned important responsibilities in the party,” he claimed.
He said the money he sent had been used in the intra party elections, while the party tickets were even sold.
He said Imran mistreated him when he went to him to complain against the alleged misappropriation and his minions kicked him out.
The PTI spokesperson rejected the allegations. “The PTI chief met with Aslam Mehboob and his six-member-delegation in spite of the fact that he had been dismissed from the party,” he said. “The party accounts have even undergone a forensic audit but no irregularity was found.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2014.
COMMENTS (63)
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Atif Ansari... first thank you for accepting the answer for PUBLIC EVENTS. With regard to Entertainments of 1 crore... and out door events. PTI would easily have over 10,000 tabdeeli razakar members (specially near the elections)... any idea how they did their work? Divide crore by 10,000... you get about RS 1,000 per tabdeeli razgaar member PER YEAR. Now tell me is this cost to unreasonable? I know you are trying to act educated. Please try harder.
@bilal reading your first line really shows that u r well certified but not really educated. its very bad to think yourself that you are greater. that is what i dont like in Imran khan... problem starts from here....... its a fact that imran khan is the most educated person among all politician but nawaz shareed is the third time elected prime minister ( i dont want to discuss how he became) but the fact is that he is the 3rd time P.M. of Pakistan. yes i agree with you the amount used and the purpose of PUBLIC EVENT. but the thing is that the amount used in ENTERTAINMENT is not very low its almost above one crore and i dont believe imran khan talks about to cut expenses which lies in luxuries drinking pepsi is luxury. you guys could have drunk water instead of Pepsi and its very very much expensive to afford a meal above crore in one year.. that is what that person said that during election pti workers were putting their own pocket money for travelling and other stuff... I THINK you must concern and ask about all the liabilities and i am still confused about the amount used in OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
@ ARSALAN PTI leader imran khan is also in the waiting to get his turn that is the reason why he said to the people to winde up their protest in karachi and lahore even people gathered there by their own and just because imran khan's order these protest were winded up.... and he said in one of his interview that we are not protesting just because of the democracy to prevail in pakistan and he didnt even think that peple voted and he didnt see their scarification just to become prime minister having a hope after nawaz shareef. he is silent and waiting for his turn AS HE SAID THAT WE WOULD DO PROTEST ALL OVER IN PAKISTAN if there is no action against rigging appeals
@Aysha M: MQM exposed a decade back but still some opportunist attached with this party to get their share from extortion. By the way where is Mustafa Kamal, may God safe his life.
atif ansair. I am not sure what your qualification is (I am CA).. or what your knowledge/source is But let me correct/explain you. PUBLIC EVENTS. Did you see the Jalsa's PTI did during elections? Unless You were sleeping the entire year... you or ANYONE in Pakistan could not have missed them. There were dozens of them and as much as we would like them to be free od cost due to PTI volunteers, that is not the case. ENTERTAINMENT. This head of account is very small compared to the total cost. It includes items such Pepsi, meals etc for 1000's of PTI staff when doing such public events. The AUDIT OPINION clearly says all these expenses were for the purpose of PTI (and not of a personal nature).
@Nida Alvi: Nopes, there is a new thing, one of the worker has raised voice and is going to form a TAC force which will figure out the corrupt elements within the party. If IK wont get the matters straight, the workers who r not in the circle of "FAN Club" and truly believe in Party Agenda will prevail.
There is nothing new in this news. PTI has been prone to the misappropriation of funds. Six months ago, Shaheen Sehbai exposed that http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-24688-PTI-dollars-flow-from-US-stops-as-major-rift-blows-up and before that Imran Khan had allegedly lost million dollars in real estate gambling http://tribune.com.pk/story/415920/imran-khan-lost-donation-money-in-real-estate-gambling-khwaja-asif/ Whenever there is a report of misappropriation of funds by PTI, the Lifetime Chairman Imran Khan buries his head in the sand !
“Nasrullah stop writing this nonsense. Had credited u with more intelligence,” the PTI chief wrote to Dr Nasrullah M Khan of Texas on Monday, July 29 in an Email. When the Dr replied in detail explaining what he wanted, an angry Imran Khan gave a one line message from his Blackberry: “Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:31:52 +0000: Please don’t send me anymore emails”.
Dr Nasrullah is the second top PTI supporter and fundraiser in the US after Fauzia Kasuri who has travelled all over the US raising millions and sending them to Pakistan, all legally and with a full record and formalities.
He was the main person who kept all records, looked after the legal requirements and followed all the US laws to send money to Pakistan.
The issue has been rolling on, on the social media for many weeks but is now bursting out in the mainstream newspapers and at a private sitting in Washington on Tuesday night where I saw some of the top PTI donors and supporters, the issues appeared to be far more serious than so far considered.
We want to Bash someone!!!
Now it is Imran Khan turn, but lets see why.
We bash him because he stood up against the Turn by Turn ruling of Political parties and the deteriorating economy of the state.
Infact it will be safe to say that, had this not been to the worst governance of PPP and Silence of PMLN (Friendly/ Supportive term from 2008-2013).
Imran Khan and PTI would have not been here, where it stands today.
People voted for PTI because we were tired of Nawaz and Zardari playing "App kee Bari aur mere bari mein"
PTI was also alleged to be supporting PPP in the general elections. But today we see Mr. Nawaz and Mr. Zardari standing shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand.
Grow up please. Lets break this Monopoly of two parties and give PTI a real chance.
Thanks God its about only financial mismanagement, not about human mis.......by IK.
@Rex Minor: Talibans are considered 'brothers gone astray', and 'lost souls', what else is this if not being Taliban apologists per se
@Lokhandwala: PTI supporters have gone paranoid. Someone talks against Imran Khan and you start blaming MQM. Don't be blind supporter to anyone!
REPLY regarding audit report. well its a matter of fact that there is an audit report on the internet and the audit was done by the authentic institution in Pakistan, there is no doubt about it but the thing is that the amount used was not PROPERLY and not APPROPRIATELY and this is what the person discussed in the interview. the thing is that there are two particulars which are very confusing the amount used in 'ENTERTAINMENT" and " PUBLIC EVENT EXPENSES" is very very high and we didnt see any entertainment programs from PTI last year and both the entertainment and public event expenses are more or less similar in context and what about utilities and misc expenses. the audit was dont but the things are not cleared
I simplify it for the readers. ET is basically a propaganda newspaper. They are not sincere to Pakistan so they would defame everything that is good for Pakistan. Now their publishing of articles against IK and PTI on daily basis just says the rest. Now stay enlightened!
@BILAL and @ IZAT its a fact that there is an external audit statement on the internet but the thing is that the amount used was not used properly and appropriately as it should have been. if you listened the interview about claim my point will be cleared. if you read in the statment there is one particular "ENTERTAINMENT" and the other is "PUBLIC EVENT EXPENSES" both of the terms related to each other and the thing is that the amount is very much higher and what sort of entertainment programmes pti launched previous year. thats the question. well to hide a one lie one speaks lie thousands time
@Aysha M: Aysha being a Punjabi, I love your frank style. Keep it that way, KHUDA bless your efforts.
Another case of IK's failed leadership. He has trained his followers to illogically praise him for everything done and undone. So performance does not matter to him any more.
This is great news for PTI. Now does the critic have any answer? Just see them hide their faces. Most people at the convention praised IK.
http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?234090-Why-there-was-no-media-coverage-for-angry-PTI-members-see-the-reason
Imran Khan is Pakistan and truly the last hope for saving Pakistan (from Allah). Most of people commenting here are just obsessed with PTI. Here is a slap to their ignorance. http://www.scribd.com/doc/190044369/PTI-External-Audit-for-the-Year-2012-13
Well i always say that imran khan has no vision and he is the rolling stone and everyone knows rolling stone never gets a moss..... he talks about the change in pakistan but he is standing with the people who were in previosu government... imran khan has only one vision to become the prime minister of pakistan by fair means or foul... sheeren mazari in her jalsa already accused imran khan on all these convictions.. well imran khan is the person who will join PPP if ppp offers him to become the prime minister
@Aysha M:
There are no Taliban apologists per say; they simply want to be on the right side of history just in time or in case ? Pakistan has no alternative but to end its war of terror aginst the indigenous people of KPK and Baluchistan or risk the talibanisation of the entire territory. Pakistan was not created with violence and can not be retained with the use of violence either. People who shape the destiny of Nations in the 21st century do not need military might but should have the vision for the coming generations which demand reconciliation and a dialogue among the people of varying cultures.
Rex Minor
@Aysha M: It is not sheer insult to trust richest Sharif family of Pakistan. but we deserve them i think. But hope education will give people to think better in 30 years.
@Aamir...hijacked by tareen and shireen Mazari who have linked with a hidden hand in Pakistan
very well said, PTI was made by opportunists, and now this is run by them too. the dual face is badly exposed. sorry to say slogan of Naya Pakistan by PTI is failed,,,
@ASM: I just dont get his politics of 'electables' that means his philosophy was defeated by individual clout. His cardinal sin was to create a narrative for Talibans in the public space. I am sorry I cannot support Taliban apologists.
Whereas I am not even a member of PTI, this is what I found from PTI side an official response: Audit Report and I myself inquired the credibility of the audit firm. The Firm which audited PTI accounts is Registerd with State Bank of Pakistan under catagory A ( see A9 in the link below) , which happens to be eligible to Conduct Audit of any BANK e.g HBL, NBP, UBL . NOW this strengthen my belief that such high profile firms cant b influenced by individuals otherwise PML-N government would have left no stone unturned to defame PTI using any tool. Here is the source for authenticity of audit firm. Audit Firm Repute
P.S: I highly doubt ET will let this comment through, still no harm in trying
Corruption? IK what is this? I feel you do not like it but.......... Please speak out
@Fawad: Nor PTI can ever be in central government.Please stop day dreaming.
mr mehboob is saying that he raised funds worth $3 million for 2008 general elections but PTI boycotted 2008 general electiobs & participated in 2013 general elections
for your info ET here is the The Audit Report of assets and other sources of PTI for the year 2013 http://insaf.pk/news/national-news/item/17733-PTI%20Circular%20of%20External%20Audit%20For%20The%20Year%202012-13
This is just motherhood; it is quite natural that the party has attracted many dignatories and office holders from other political establishments, be it for their personal reasons or due to the attraction of IK political movement. The guy is just jealous if he is using the term 'highjacking'.
Rex Minor
PTI didn't emerge from out of space. It is just as much prone to infectious corruption as any Pakistani. We just have to hope that PTI's firewall against such infections remains intact.
Imran Khan need not worry as he has an alternative option to join another organisation whom he has always supported and vice-versa.
@Fawad:
Mind also shedding light on the fact as to how monetary corruption and misappropriation of funds in a political party has got anything to do with that party forming the federal government? If anything, the myth of PTI being the fountain of principals and incorruptible politics stands busted, big time!
Dude, this ain't America, this is Pakistan. PTI is a political party, not a charity, learn the difference. If you don't make power plays in politics, you end up like Asghar Khan's party. Bhutto made many deals, look what he achieved (not comparing PTI with PPP, just an example).
@Ajab Khan Baloch: Audits have already been done and available on pti website. The detailed forensic report will also be posted on pti website shortly. And these were external audita...I.e. not done by pti.
@Saigon: He already has..before you even posted your comment. maybe ET can update the story. Asad umar and JT have also responded. :)
"He said he had worked for the party in the US and had raised funds worth $3 million for the 2008 general elections.
“However, when I visited Pakistan, reviewed the causes of the party’s defeat in the polls and talked with ideological workers, I found that the party had been hijacked by corrupt and bankrupt people, who had been assigned important responsibilities in the party,” he claimed."
PTI boycotted the 2008 elections. That should be hint enough.
Guys, anti-PTI lobby would jump on any piece of yellow journalism. They need to check the credentials of this guy who is claiming to be a donor. Please don't tell me that this guy collected funds of US$ 3 Million for the party.
We all know that Imran has been raising funds for over twenty years and I am sure hundreds of millions of dollar have been donated to his cause without a single allegation of corruption. Now this gentleman who thinks there is a corruption. If so take IK to the court rather than going for cheap publicity stunt.
True that. We in UK feel cheated. And we are told that we do not know the ground realities. We read IK wrong we wasted our energies and time on him. He turned out to be a Taliban Khan. Only 3 or 4 respectable personalities are left on his party. Why can't we have a party like aam aadmi party. We seriously need a proper challenger to the status quo not someone who is taking voice of the people for granted.
Intra party election was a sham. Policies though a good start were way to politically optimistic, none of the political promises were true. We need to look around us and learn. We could learn so much from people like president of the Uruguay and Arvind Kejriwal.
May be IK is not the person we were looking for we thought would take us out of this misery.
PTI has become typical party like others. PTI has corrupt elements.
Supporters are leaving PTI in huge numbers Soon kpk will have a new government and khan will have played his innings Khan has ignored real supporters and gone instead for likes of Qureshi and other deserters who stand by his sides It is a shame that the end of such a movement has stated so soon
Its almost same allegation which IK's ex-patron, Haroon Rasheed has been saying for last many months!!!
I was expecting this to be the headline for today looking at the past record of ET and thanks God I'm not dissapointed. Thank you ET for targeting a single party who has never even been in the federal government.
you have right to see dreams.@Aysha M:
It would be worth having a look at the audit report before going for IK's head http://insaf.pk/news/national-news/item/17733-PTI%20Circular%20of%20External%20Audit%20For%20The%20Year%202012-13
@Aysha M: Any comments on MQM i mean na Maloom Afraad??
Well, there we are again - not for the first time old PTI workers have complained... opportunitis have taken over wel land truly - high time for reform and out the house in order before it is too late.
Dr Shireen Mazari had also claimed that "PTI has been hijacked by Jahaz Group", against which she had resigned in protest. She was silenced through National Assembly seat (at the expense of Fauzia Kasuri). The PTI bigwigs will not buy out Mehboob Aslam with some "Advisory" seat in KP Government. ET, please don't ignore my analytical prediction.
Not surprising. Just compare the PTI of 2 years ago and th PTI of today and the answer will be obvious. IK needs to go back to the drawing board but he will have to get rid of the "electables" first.
We trust on IK.
PTI getting exposed slowly but surely
The bubble of tsunami is getting pricked in no time. A party which is apologetic to the terrorists, delivering nothing in terms of governance in KP, and now in the very first year is palgued by corruption and favoritism, is surely going to loose ideological workers. I have noticed that a strong sense of sissillusionment is starting to prevail among the open-minded youth.
Talk is cheap. Name the people who have hijacked the party.
PTI should very willingly agree to a detail audit of funds and donations. I am sure there is nothing to hide and all funds are accounted for. Let the truth come out........
response please IK.....