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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday turned down Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s request to adjourn sine die a petition seeking his disqualification over the collection of party funds through 'prohibited' means.
A four-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza, has taken up the petition in this regard filed by Hashim Ali Bhutta.
Bhutta’s counsel, Sharafat Chaudhry, argued that Khan, being party head, had submitted a certificate from 2010 to 2015 stating that the PTI had not collected funds through prohibited means.
He also said there was evidence that PTI funds were collected through 'prohibited' means.
The PTI chairman’s counsel, Shahid Gondal, informed the commission that a petition of similar nature was being heard in the Supreme Court.
“Haneef Abbasi has filed a similar petition in the Supreme Court … These petitions are the same, word for word,” Gondal said, requesting an adjournment in the ECP's hearing of the matter.
However, the chief election commissioner expressed annoyance over the failure of the PTI chief to submit his reply.
“If the Supreme Court is hearing the petition, what’s wrong with the submission of a reply?” the chief election commission asked.
Khan’s lawyer argued that they had submitted a reply to the apex court.
The ECP nonetheless ordered Imran Khan to reply by June 7. In its short order, the commission said it would consider adjourning the petition sine die once that reply is filed.
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Comments (45) Closed
May 23, 2017 02:17pm
Isn't ECP the same institution that helped PML-N rig the elections 2013?
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May 23, 2017 02:38pm
@Jamhoor In your mind which processes information based upon whatsapp messages and facebook posts - yes it is the same institution. In real world - No. The highest court of the country investigated and found no evidence whatsoever that elections were manipulated. There were minor discrepancies which happen in every other exercise of this magnitude but the overall outcome reflected the will of the people. Off-course you and others of your ilk will vehemently deny this and will continue to live in your own little world in which elections are conducted on social media and winners are losers are decided based upon likes, retweets etc
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May 23, 2017 02:39pm
“If the Supreme Court is hearing the petition, what’s wrong with the submission of a reply?” the chief election commission asked.
Then why did you not hear cases against Ishaq Dar, Captain Safdar & Nawaz Sharif arguing that their cases are being heard by Supreme Court?
Clearly double standard and reinforces the impression that ECP is partisan to Noon's advantage. Its not an independent institution and when you say it, Sardar Raza gets annoyed.
What gives?
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May 23, 2017 02:40pm
@Jamhoor This is what the IK and cronies want the people to believe, which is not possible in any way...
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May 23, 2017 02:40pm
Honest and persons of integrity are never bothered about accountability and submit replies to court. Here it is different, however.
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May 23, 2017 02:44pm
@Jamhoor MAY be UNSC can help at least nothing in Pakistan seems to help PTI for their just cause why not to raise this issue with UNSC or ICJ a sincere advice
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May 23, 2017 02:46pm
After the Panama papers decisions, all state institutions have been ordered by N govt to somehow implicate IK in anything. Such is the state of affairs of our state institutions....Although there is an exception in shape of PIA which is busy in smuggling.
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May 23, 2017 02:50pm
@KARACHI,
They are telling the truth. The 2013 elections were rigged and anyone who disputes that either is deluded and naive or simply benefactor.
Thousands of overseas Pakistanis fund PTI - Are they foreign agents now? What a joke.
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May 23, 2017 02:52pm
@Jamhoor there is no harm for IK to submit his reply to EC, unless he is hiding something. EC has its own jurisdiction which IK tried his best to pull apart, brick by brick, and failed miserably. Why doesn't PTI demand elections be held under Army supervision? I know why. Its because PTI knows that ift simply cannot win any fair elections.
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May 23, 2017 02:56pm
At least it is rightly expected from Imran Khan to satisfy ECP on financial issue....
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May 23, 2017 03:03pm
@Fudayl Z. Ahmad How often truth and fair has won?
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May 23, 2017 03:12pm
You mean this ECP? Even its not ECP, its partner of PML-N in rigging.
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May 23, 2017 03:13pm
IK should just give tallashi and come clean. Why the delay tactics?
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May 23, 2017 03:13pm
@Sheraz "After the Panama papers decisions, all state institutions have been ordered by N govt to somehow implicate IK in anything." Let it be. No better gift from NS can be given to IK. He should pray that EC verdict comes before the SC's one. NS will prove what IK couldn't till now.
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May 23, 2017 03:15pm
@Shahid time for tallashi and not philosophical slogans.
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May 23, 2017 03:21pm
just submit the reply, simple!
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May 23, 2017 03:21pm
ECP can't be just, they are actors chosen by Nawaz and Zardari, we cannot expect them to be fair.
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May 23, 2017 03:23pm
Alhumdulillah, I did not not any fraud with my job place and I can reply and provide money trail within an hour if anyone requires. Why this IK is so afraid if did nothing wrong?? if Nawaz Sharif can provide his money detail why IK is not providing to prove himself as an best honest person Pakistan ever seen.
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May 23, 2017 03:26pm
Overseas Pakistanis have every right to help Pakistan grow and prosper that's why they funded PTI to help them achieve it for Pakistan, not corrupt PMLN, PPP and others because these parties only have criminals.
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May 23, 2017 03:32pm
@pervaiz If you read the news, IK says he has given money trail to the SC. Same case is in SC. Thats why he has requested ECP to dismiss the petition.
So where does fear come into the equation?
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May 23, 2017 03:35pm
@AQ .. the same EC conducted local govt and all by elections in kpk then why IK accepted results. Why IK is so afraid to reply if did nothing wrong?? If Nawaz Sharif can submit his money trail then why IK is so afraid. Now philosopher slogans will not work but only actual money trail required.
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May 23, 2017 03:40pm
I am an overseas Pakistani, born, brought up and living in London.
I send my zakat to Pakistan, I run workshops and send money and goods i.e. computers to deserving schools in Pakistan and I financially support PTI.
Overseas Pakistanis contribute $20 billion worth of remittances to Pakistan on an annual basis.
Is the government now going to place a ban on all overseas funding?
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May 23, 2017 03:43pm
IK has urgency of NS accountability only. He is not bothered about his own wrongdoings and wants refuge.
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May 23, 2017 03:43pm
All of the sudden Party funding has become an issue of great concern.... corruption is every where, mis allocations of funds is every where, lawlessness can be witnessed but still these institutions are more interested in funding sources of PTI and for Jiyalas every thing is fine.
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May 23, 2017 03:50pm
PTI funding by overseas pakistani nationals has nothing to do with ecp or fbr. This gesture is voluntarily becuz pti is a party who cares for pakistan's integrity.
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May 23, 2017 03:57pm
@Princess_of_DHUMP Oh come on ECP has been pro Nawaz from day 1. Why is ECP even investigating a case that is being heard in the supreme court. Has the ECP investigated our prime ministers tax returns and the discrepancies on them???
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May 23, 2017 04:00pm
@Fudayl Z. Ahmad Which is a sad state of affairs and a damning implication of this pakistani nation. A people who vote for NAWAZ and ZARDARI given their obvious corruption and incompetence. But then we are a corrupt and incompetent people....
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May 23, 2017 04:00pm
It's funny that IK is asking a escape route.
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May 23, 2017 04:02pm
Its Talashee time!!!!
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May 23, 2017 04:02pm
Good job ECP... you are on track to fix the most corrupt politician and the source of all problems of Pakistan.. this is historical case if they can punish Imran for his wrong doings it will put Pakistan on correct course.
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May 23, 2017 04:07pm
The only sin IK made is to stand against corruption & corrupt leaders ...
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May 23, 2017 04:18pm
What goes around comes around.
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May 23, 2017 04:23pm
Under tremendous pressure from the "movers and shakers" in Islamabad led by the two brothers, what other option does it has?
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May 23, 2017 04:25pm
The election cases fall under the jurisdiction of the ECP, even if the supreme court is investigating. I thought IK counld prove his trail within ten minutes? Thats the impression he was always giving on the social media and talk shows so why the delay then Mr Clean?
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May 23, 2017 04:27pm
ECP is a biased institution against Imran Khan.
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May 23, 2017 04:27pm
@Philosopher(from japan) Dont know what kind of a philosopher you are who cant understand simple English.
IK says he has submitted his money trail to SC as same case is being heard there. Therefore, ECP should dismiss the case.
Where is the escape in this?
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May 23, 2017 04:28pm
He wanted to stay in the spotlight. He got his wish.
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May 23, 2017 04:31pm
The ECP is working for the government cause and it is not independent.
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May 23, 2017 04:39pm
@pervaiz because PMLN does not have enough members in KPK to do massive rigging so they did not do it, they do only in Punjab, because they know if they win most of the Punjab they would be able to form Govt. Your think mind won't realize that i guess.
What Money trail? Qatri letter? It was pathetic joke for whole world.
IK don't want to reply on false case, there is no issue with getting money from fellow Pakistanis who live abroad. At least he is no laundering money out from Pakistan. ECP only want to oppose his stance because they are slaves of corruption.
If you are so concerned about injustice with this case then also realize Asghar Khan case and Hubiyya Paper mills case and see the difference. NS and cronies noonies would go jail if they implement the result of those cases, In real world NS is already ineligible to be PM and Ishaq dar along with others are ineligible to hold ANY public office.
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May 23, 2017 04:43pm
Is this the response of PML-N to Panama verdict. Throw some legal twisters around PTI and IK. What a shame PML-N when you know well that you are getting funding from foreign oil rich sources and following their bidding.
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May 23, 2017 05:00pm
IK is hiding behind technicalities and running away from Talashi. Seems he has something to hide and something to fear.
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May 23, 2017 05:02pm
ECP is mega corrupt.
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May 23, 2017 05:05pm
If IK is punished for clear violation of this law against foreign funding then we will know that institutions in Pakistan have matured. This will teach all other people in Pakistan that no one is above the law not even the one who claims to be super clean.
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May 23, 2017 08:44pm
@Gramscian Childish comment. looks typical kb champ mentality. You need to understand the long-run plans of Mr. IK if you are able to understand simple English but offcourse you are not Philosopher thats why its difficult to fit in your narrow mind.
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May 23, 2017 09:49pm
@PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN)
Very well said; Sir.
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