ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was hearing a petition pertaining to the regulation of election expenses incurred by political parties on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

A three-judge bench comprising of the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing the petition filed by eminent lawyer Abid Hasan Minto on behalf of the Workers Party of Pakistan.

An officer representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that major political parties only show several hundred thousands in their bank accounts.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that democracy could only be strengthened through efficient political parties.

However, Justice Khilji questioned whether democracy existed within the political parties.

Moreover, Chief Justice Iftikhar said that if party tickets would be sold at exorbitant rates, then only the richest would afford the seats and would in turn become a mafia.