<PTI foreign funding case: ECP declares Imran Khan’s party ‘willfully’ received prohibited funds>
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday in its unanimous decision declared that the Pakistan Tehreek-insaf got prohibited funding from 34 foreigners including the LLC, America,
In its 70-page verdict announced today and read out by the chief election commissioner, the ECP declared that the PTI received funds from 34 foreigners and 351 business personalities. The PTI owned only eight bank accounts, concealed 16 and disowned 13 accounts.
The case of prohibited funding has been proved against the PTI, the commission said adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had submitted a misdeclaration to the ECP. The commission issued a show cause notice to the PTI demanding an explanation from the PTI chief regarding prohibited funding.
ECP declared that the PTI willing got funds from America, Canada, LLC, Bristol Services, Abraaj group, Arif Naqvi, Romita Shetty, IPI and USI. The commission said that concealing 16 accounts was a violation of Article 17.
ECP recommended that if the PTI failed to give a satisfactory reply in the prohibited funding case, then an action under the law could be initiated against the party and its prohibited funds could be confiscated.
A three-member bench of the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi conducted the hearing.
According to the ECP verdict:
a) “PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations from Wootton Cricket Limited registered in Cayman Island which was operated and owned by a business tycoon Mr. Ant Masood Naqvi owner of Abraaj Group. Respondent party was willing recipient of prohibited money of US$ 2,121,500.
b) PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations from Bristol Engineering services UAE based company, an amount of US$ 49,965/- transferred into its accounts in Pakistan which are hit by prohibition in violation of Pakistani Laws
c) PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations from E-Planet Trustees a Cayman island Pvt registered company trust, based in Zurich Switzerland, and SS Marketing, Manchester a UK based Pvt. Company. From both the companies an amount of US$ 101,741/- transferred into its accounts in Pakistan which are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani Laws
d) PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations through PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975 US$ 2,525,500/-.From both the companies the amounts received into its accounts of PTI Pakistan are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani Laws.
e) PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations through PTI Canada Corporation and PTI UK Public Ltd Company an amount of US $ 279,822/- and GBP £ 792,265/- respectively. Similarly, an amount of PKR 3,581,186/- was also donated by PTI Canada Corporation to PTI Pakistan. From both the companies the amounts received into its accounts of PTI Pakistan are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani Laws
f) PTI Pakistan knowingly and willfully received donations from Dunpec Pty Ltd an Australia based company and from Anwar Brothers, Zain Cotton and Young Sports..
