ECP rejects Imran’s plea to adjourn hearing sine die

Party funding case

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday turned down Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s request to adjourn sine die hearing of a petition which seeks his disqualification over the collection of party funds through 'prohibited' means.

A four-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, held proceedings with regard to the petition filed by one Hashim Ali Bhutta.

Bhutta’s counsel, Sharafat Chaudhry, contended before the commission that Imran, being a party head, had submitted a certificate from 2010 to 2015 stating that the PTI had not collected funds through prohibited means. He claimed there was evidence that the PTI funds were collected through 'prohibited' means.

To this, the PTI chairman’s counsel, Shahid Gondal, informed the commission that a petition of similar nature was being heard in the Supreme Court. He referred to the one filed by PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi in the apex court and said these petitions are the same word by word and he requested the bench to adjourn hearing

However, the chief election commissioner while expressing displeasure over the failure of PTI chief to submit his reply to the petition remarked, “If the Supreme Court is hearing the petition, what’s wrong with the submission of a reply?”

In response to this, Imran’s lawyer argued that they had submitted a reply to the apex court on this count from 2010 to 2015, proving that funds were not received through prohibited means.

But the ECP asked Imran to file a reply by June 7. In its short order, the commission said it would consider adjourning the petition sine die once that reply was filed.

Meanwhile, PTI’s senior leader and leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid alleged PML-N led government was giving unconvincing explanations regarding the vile attempts of suppressing freedom of expression.

“The plot to restrict social media under the guise of ‘RAW’ will be turned down. Rana Sanaullah in his statement has unveiled the commitment of fascist minded PML-N government to curb freedom of expression,” he charged. PTI leader’s statement was issued by Central Media Department.