ex-minister’s statement comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled that the PTI received millions of dollars from 351 foreign companies and 34 foreign nationals. The commission also sought an explanation as to why the prohibited funds the party received should not be forfeited.
While PTI has continued to deny any wrongdoing, government termed verdict to be a chargesheet against the former ruling party and vowed to implement it in accordance with the law.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad Chaudhry said Imran had a huge public following. No one should think of “sidelining him from mainstream politics,” he said.
He claimed the government was “running away” from elections as it feared defeat at the hands of the PTI.
He went on to say that the party would soon demand government seek a vote of confidence from parliament. “We are deliberating upon the date for it,” he added.
During his press conference, the former minister accused the government of running a campaign against overseas Pakistanis aiming to “label them as non-Pakistanis” just because they support the PTI.
He said overseas Pakistanis were outraged by the ECP’s verdict and were now sending more donations than ever.
The ex-minister pointed out that Article 15 of the Elections Act outlined the process for dissolving a political party. However, he added that the ECP had no authority to take such a step.
He regretted that the ECP was being used as a “tool” by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
