ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Online); Election Commission (EC) has directed the counsel for PTI to complete his arguments on next hearing in foreign funding case.
The case came up for hearing before a 3-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) here Tuesday.
The counsel for petitioner Akbar S Babar read out the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision before the commission.
Anwar Mansoor the counsel for PTI argued before the commission that I feel sorrow over the language used in court’s decision.
Raising question over non completion of election commission (EC) he said that the EC comprises 4 members and a chief election commissioner. Now its two members are not present. All the powers of the election commission have been explained under article 218 of the constitution.
He further argued the interesting thing is this if any difference of opinion arises in the decision of 3-member bench then the matter will be put up before 5 member’s bench.
CEC remarked we have noted your objection but as per court’s orders it is must to decide the case within 30 days.
Anwar Mansoor said “ I am ready to give arguments. Any party can collect funding from foreign countries. However this funding should not be prohibited funding.
Raising objection over scrutiny committee report he said scrutiny committee has overstepped the TORS given to it. Scrutiny committee was to check the credibility of the documents provided to it by the complainant. Bur it was not done so. It has written in its report funds have been received by party from US and several other countries.
He argued party has provided details of all funds received by it from other countries which are audited through banking channel.
He said scrutiny committee has made mention of several other countries including India while the citizenship laws of other countries are different from Pakistani laws. Dual nationality is allowed in Pakistan while it is not allowed in India.
Member commission said it means the overseas Pakistanis having dual nationality can make donations.
Counsel for PTI said the funds received from other countries legally are not prohibited in any way. If any fund is verified as prohibited fund then government can confiscate it.
He said security committee and election commission have not verified the documents provided by the complainant nor have they investigated about the ability of the complainant.
He argued I need more three days to complete my arguments.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till next week.
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