ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has sought more time from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to respond to allegations levelled by one of the founder members of the PTI regarding corruption in the party.

A four-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza heard the case filed in November last year by PTI’s former information secretary Akbar S. Babar who had alleged corruption and violation of laws in collection of donations and managing party funds.

Also read: Wajih-led tribunal reports misuse of funds, divisions within PTI

The petitioner’s lawyer Ahmed Hasan gave detailed arguments against the PTI’s stance, questioning the jurisdiction of the ECP to hear the case. He said organising political parties under the law was part of the electoral process to ensure a fundamental right of citizens. He quoted laws that provided specific powers to the commission to scrutinise accounts of parties and confiscate them in case of violation of rules regarding source of funding. He claimed that the PTI’s position of terming the already submitted accounts as a past and closed transaction was not tenable under the law.

The lawyer said the party had committed to provide all the details regarding sources of funding as ordered by the commission on April 1 and had sought time to submit the information. However, subsequently the PTI decided to change its lawyer and once again questioned the jurisdiction of the commission, he added.

The ECP adjourned the hearing till Sept 15 because PTI’s senior lawyer and former attorney general Anwar Mansoor Khan is in the United States for medical treatment.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play