PTI has lashed out at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide on PTI’s “foreign funding case”.
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded the ECP announce the “long-delayed” judgment on the PTI “foreign funding” case.
“I urge the Election Commission of Pakistan to announce a long-delayed judgment on PTI foreign funding case. For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated and shameless attacks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
Read more: PML-N eager to complete its term despite setback in Punjab
To clarify, his tweet comes a day after PTI Chairman Imran Khan lambasted the Chief of Election Commission (CEC) and demanded his resignation. Imran Khan alleged that the chief election commissioner had made full efforts to assist PML-N to win the by-elections in Punjab. Pertinent to mention that PML-N faced a humiliating defeat as it won only four seats.
PTI hits back
Needless to say, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s harsh words did not sit well with PTI leader Farrukh Habib who called out the premier shortly after. Farrukh Habib also criticized Shehbaz Sharif for getting his facts wrong.
“Incompetent premier, this is not foreign funding, it is a prohibited funding case,” Farrukh Habib tweeted. To clarify, the ECP directed its staff to list the “foreign funding” case as “prohibited funding”. It accepted PTI’s stance that the Elections Act, 2017, allows receiving funds from overseas Pakistanis but prohibits procuring funds from anyone else other than them.
ن لیگ اور پیپلز پارٹی کی سکروٹنی مکمل ہوچکی ہے دونوں جماعتوں نےالیکشن کمیشن سے بینک اکاؤنٹس چھپائے ہے پیپلز پارٹی 36کروڑ اور ن لیگ66کروڑ کا حساب نہیں دیا
فوری انکی رپورٹ الیکشن کمیشن میں جمع کرواکر روزانہ کی بنیاد پر سماعت کرکے فیصلہ دیا جائے۔ ن لیگ اور PPP کو لاڈلہ نہ بنایا جائے— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) July 19, 2022
“When you have suffered the worst defeat in the elections, how are you ordering the Election Commission to announce its decision? The Election Commission should also decide on the prohibited funding of PML-N and PPP along with PTI so that impartiality is seen and bias is removed,” Farrukh Habib tweeted.
“Scrutiny of PML-N and PPP has been completed. Both parties have hidden bank accounts from the Election Commission. PML-N has not accounted for 36 crores and PML-N 66 crores. Immediately submit their report to the Election Commission,” the PTI leader further added.
Read more: ECP to announce final decision on PTI prohibited funding case
The case began in 2014 when the party’s founding member, Akbar S Babar, filed it. An ECP scrutiny committee report probing the party’s funds revealed that the ruling PTI party had received Rs1.64 billion in funding. The ECP is yet to announce its final verdict.