ISLAMABAD: The three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing of the disqualification case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday (today).
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi petitioned the Supreme Court late last year to disqualify Imran and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen for ‘not declaring their assets and violating the income tax ordinance and peoples act’. The petition also terms the PTI a ‘foreign funded party’.
PTI’s counsel, Anwar Mansoor, claimed before the bench that the Election Commission of Pakistan has no right to audit a political party’s funds after they have been audited by a chartered accountancy firm.
He said the law has no provision for the ECP to inquire into a party’s funds once its details have been submitted to it.
The chief justice observed whether not having the power to scrutinise funds is an acceptable defence by the PTI.
Mansoor resumed arguments today after being absent from previous proceedings owing to a medical leave.
Mansoor is continuing PTI counsel Naeem Bukhari’s arguments presenting the money trail of Imran’s properties in London and Islamabad.
Once Mansoor’s arguments are completed, PML-N’s counsel Akram Sheikh will question his replies.
At the last hearing on Tuesday, Bukhari had said that after receiving the documents from Imran’s former wife, Jemima, the money trail [of selling the London flat and acquiring property in Bani Gala] has been completed.
During the hearing, the chief justice observed that Bukhari will be given time to verify the documents.
“We will try our best to satisfy the court and will go to London if need be to verify the documents,” said Bukhari.
Addressing the media after the hearing, PTI Spokesman Fawad Chaudhry had said the case against Imran belongs in the waste basket.
In his media talk, Abbasi had claimed the PTI chairman is heading towards disqualification. He claimed the PTI chief’s lawyer has already accepted in court that the party receives foreign funding.
The bench also includes Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
