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Prohibited funding confiscation show-cause notice: ECP gives PTI lawyer last chance to present arguments

ISLAMABAD, May 30 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday held a hearing on the show-cause notice regarding confiscation of prohibited funding of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and gave the PTI’s lawyer a last chance to present his arguments.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja conducted the hearing of the case wherein PTI assistant Advocate Naveed Anjum appeared before the bench.

At the outset of the hearing, the lawyer requested the commission to adjourn the hearing.

The chief election commissioner remarked that he is ready to give the date of PTI’s choice. During previous hearing, the bench had also given the case hearing date as was suggested by PTI lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan.

The assistant lawyer said that Anwar Mansoor Khan is busy in the Sindh High Court. The CEC rued that it means that nobody would find time to appear before the commission. He lamented that case was started in August 2022 and after 10 months, it was still afoot.

“This will not work out, we will have to stop this practice,” the CEC warned. Then the election commissioner gave PTI’s lawyer a last chance to present his arguments. He said if the PTI lawyer did not present his arguments in the next hearing, then the commission would pronounce its verdict.

The advocate said that all PTI offices have been closed for fear of raids and all its office bearers are in hiding.

The CEC remarked that it means that they will have to postpone the hearing till next general elections. He said if the PTI leaders could not appear before the commission, they could at least submit their replies.

The chief election commissioner remarked that the commission has already announced its verdict in the main case. “If no arguments will be presented in the next hearing, then the bench will announce its decision on the basis of available record,” CEC added. The commission adjourned hearing of the case till June 6.