Imran submits offshore company’s record in SC

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday expressed wonder that the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf was questioning the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while rejecting the allegations of foreign funding.

The CJP gave the observation while heading a three-member SC bench, which heard PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi's petition seeking disqualification of PTI chief Imran Khan for concealing offshore companies and receiving foreign funds.

The PTI chief submitted offshore company's record and details of the purchase of Bani Gala land and bank accounts. During the course of proceedings, Imran Khan's counsel Anwar Mansoor Khan took the plea that the petition was non-maintainable under Article 184(3).

Moreover, he added, "As per the Political Parties Act, if allegations against any party of receiving funds from a foreign country or multinational company are proven, the federal government is bound to send a reference to the Supreme Court within 15 days."

Anwar Mansoor said the declaration for foreign funds received by a political party could only be issued by the federal government while the apex court could take a decision on the reference sent by it.

The counsel then pleaded the court to constitute a commission to probe the foreign funding allegations against the PTI. The CJP asked as to why the matter not be referred to the ECP. Anwar Mansoor replied that the ECP's jurisdiction ended with the allotment of election symbols to political parties. Justice Umer Ata Bandial remarked that the ECP had full powers to hold elections as well as investigations. The court adjourned the case till Wednesday.