ISLAMABAD: The scrutiny committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has compiled a report regarding Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s assets and funding. The report stated that between the years 2008 and 2013 the incumbent government party had several non-declared accounts and financial assets worth Rs310 million.
The ECP formed the scrutiny committee back in March 2018 to examine the accounts held by PTI. After four years the body has submitted its report to ECP. According to the report, 88 donors from foreign contributed $44,000 to the party. The State Bank of Pakistan’s analysis on the concealed accounts has been mentioned in the report.
It also included the audit of a US-based company – Fara LLC – of PTI and its SBP’s accounts. Further, the report added that the party was funded with $554,280 in the US during the period of April 2 to June 30, 2013; $25,080 came from foreigners and $467,000 through Pakistan’s residents.
Akbar S Babar, the former founding member of PTI, had filed a petition against PTI regarding foreign funding in 2014. The report added that the former PTI leader could not submit satisfactory evidence. However, further proceedings can be done based on the information given by other political parties.
PM IMRAN KHAN WELCOMES ECP’S SCRUTINY
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan sent out a series of tweets welcoming the ECP’s scrutiny of PTI funding through donations from Overseas Pakistanis.
I welcome ECP's scrutiny of PTI's funding through donations from Overseas Pakistanis. The more our accounts are scrutinised the more factual clarity will emerge for nation to see how PTI is the only political party with proper donor base premised on proper political fundraising.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2022
The prime minister hoped that a similar scrutiny by the ECP will also be conducted of the other two major parties – Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party.
I look forward to seeing similar ECP scrutiny on funding of 2 other major pol parties – PPP & PMLN. This will allow nation to see difference between proper pol fundraising & extortion of money from crony capitalists & vested interests in exchange for favours at nation's expense.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 5, 2022
