ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has refused to respond to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) notice, in which it has sought details of bank accounts in the prohibited funding case.

The PTI chairman also warned FIA of legal action if notice was not withdrawn within two days.

The FIA had sought records from the PTI chairman regarding the total funds provided to the party by national and international companies and business firms.

The letter, sent to Deputy Director FIA Commercial Bank Circle Ms Amna Baig, through his lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan, said the FIA does not have the authority to seek such details.

Mr Khan said that he was not answerable to her (Ms Baig) and was not bound to provide any information. Moreover, he warned that he would take legal action if FIA does not withdraw the notice within next two days.

He also challenged that asking for details and documents about political party was not the mandate of the investigation agency. He claimed that the ECP had issued a report regarding prohibited funding rather than a verdict. He claimed that the ECP was not authorised to order the FIA or any other agency.

The PTI chairman said according to the Political Parties Act 2002, FIA did not have the authority to take such action.

He even said that ECP was not a court or tribunal, as per decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Plantation drive

Meanwhile, Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at Banigala, under which nearly 100 million saplings would be planted in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the monsoon season.

He in a special message urged the people that it was their national responsibility to plant trees for the better future of their children because climate changes badly impacted Pakistan due to which it was facing numerous challenges.

He said that around 1.4 million saplings had been planted on the occasion of Independence Day.

Imran Khan said that during the months of March and April, Pakistan experienced the hottest temperatures due to which alarming upsurge witnessed in the incidents of forest fires in Pakistan.

He went on to say that this year, the rains came prematurely in the country that triggered floods, wreaking havoc in various parts of the country.

“Due to climate change, glaciers had broken in three places in the northern regions, resulting in floods that caused severe destruction in the areas. I appeal to the nation to plant trees for the better future of our children,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2022