ISLAMABAD: In a unanimous verdict on Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said it has found that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) received prohibited funding.

It may be recalled here that the case was earlier referred to as the “foreign funding” case, but later the ECP accepted the PTI’s plea to refer it as the “prohibited funding” case. The verdict was announced by a three-member ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikander (CEC) Sultan Raja in a case filed by PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar which had been pending since November 14, 2014.

The verdict, which was reserved on June 21, was expected at 10:00 am but was delayed by almost half-an-hour. In its 68-page verdict, the ECP found that donations were taken from America, Australia, Canada and the UAE. It said PTI received funds from 34 individuals and 351 businesses including companies.

The verdict states that 13 unknown accounts have also come to light, adding that hiding accounts is a “violation” of Article 17 of the Constitution. It said the funds were also in violation of Article 6 of the Political Parties Act. The ECP found that PTI Chairman Imran Khan submitted a false Nomination Form-I and that the affidavit provided regarding party accounts was false.

The ECP has issued a show-cause notice to PTI to explain why their prohibited funds should not be confiscated. The Election Commission office should also start the rest of the process according to the law, the ECP held in its verdict. A copy of the decision has been issued to the federal government.

The ECP noted that PTI knowingly and willfully received the donations. It said the foreign nationals’ collection of donations and contributions from foreign nationals and companies are hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani Laws.

The verdict states that PTI through its submission before the Election Commission has accepted ownership of only eight accounts while it declared 13 accounts under the category of unknown accounts and do not pertain to PTI accounts.

It said the data obtained from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reveals that all the 13 accounts disowned by PTI were opened and operated by the senior PTI management and leadership at the Central and Provincial levels. In this regard, the ECP said, it is further added that PTI failed to mention and disclose three accounts which were also being operated by the senior leadership of the party.

“Non-disclosure and concealment of 16 bank accounts by PTI is a serious reporting lapse on the part of PTI leadership and in violation of Article 17 (3) of the Constitution of Pakistan”, the verdict maintained. It said Chairman of PTI for the financial year 2008-09 to 2012-13 (five years) has submitted Form-I which were found to be grossly inaccurate on the basis of the financial statements obtained by the Election Commission from SBP and other material available on record.

“Therefore, in view of the material available on the record and above discussion, the matter falls within the ambit of Article 6 (3) of PPO, 2002. Hence the Commission directs that a notice may be issued to the Respondent party in terms of Rule-6 of PPR 2002, as to why the aforementioned prohibited funds may not be confiscated. The office is also directed to initiate any other action under the law, in the light of this order of the Commission,” the verdict stated.