The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) demanded an early decision on Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaaf (PTI)’s foreign funding case. Protests were held by the opposition alliance outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s building.
In response to this, the ECP stated that it remains ‘fully aware’ of its constitutional as well as legal responsibilities and has directed the scrutiny committee to meet at least three days a week.
“ECP has made significant progress in the foreign funding case”, ECP’s spokesperson said.
“The ECP is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities without any pressure and is ready at all times to ensure free, fair and transparent elections,” he added.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – the grand oppositional alliance against the Imran Khan-led PTI government – staged a rally outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the delay in proceedings of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf’s (PTI) foreign funding case.
The opposition protested against the lack of progress on the case against PTI which alleges that the accounts of the party have massive irregularities and that it has been receiving funds from foreign entities, which is illegal for political parties in Pakistan under Article 6 (b) of the Political Parties Order of 2002. Interestingly, the case was filed by Akbar S Babar, an estranged founding member of the PTI, on November 14, 2014.
The ECP was instructed to probe the party’s accounts and funding by the Supreme Court; as of now, the commission has held 70 hearings but no verdict has been given. The PTI has changed its lawyers eight times and requested an adjournment in the case 30 times. In March 2018, a scrutiny committee was formed to give its report on the case in one month. The commission held 80 sessions but it failed to submit a report.
