ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought an explanation from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to explain his position over alleged misuse and embezzlement of party funds.

An ECP source confirmed that notices had been issued to the PTI chairman and Secretary General Jahangir Tareen to appear before the commission on Feb 23 at 10am, either in person or through their counsel. They will be asked to respond to allegations levelled by a founding member of the PTI and former vice president, Akbar S. Babar.

Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan and four other members will hear the plea.

Also read: Embezzlement of PTI funds

Akbar S. Babar had filed a petition with the ECP in November, seeking an investigation into “financial malpractices in the party” and seeking accountability for those responsible for such practices.

He had accused the PTI leadership of disregarding and violating provisions of the Political Parties Order 2002. Mr Babar attached ‘documentary evidence’ with the petition, including the copy of an audit of the party’s funds and receipts of donations received from abroad.

He claims that the report of the special audit, commissioned in March last year at his request, had proved beyond a doubt that the PTI’s finances were in shambles.

Giving an example, he said around $200,000 had been sent by PTI members from the US between Feb 2010 and June 2013 for the sole purpose of opening district offices, but the funds were not used for that purpose. He said the report had substantiated fears he had expressed in 2011 that the donations had made their way into bank accounts of PTI leaders.

At the time, he said, he had suggested that a ‘forensic audit’ of PTI accounts be conducted and an accountability commission be formed to hold corrupt party leaders accountable. He claimed that the auditor was denied access to complete information and was not allowed to audit party expenses and donations received for last year’s general elections.

“This has created the impression that corruption is being protected and patronised by the top leadership,” Mr Babar alleged. He said that instead of taking action against the corrupt office-bearers, Imran Khan had ignored corruption and chose to protect and patronise the corrupt within the party by not taking any action against them.

PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi, however, denied the accusations, terming them baseless and saying that the audit report had not revealed any misappropriation of funds.

Published in Dawn February 19th , 2015

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