Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: 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 that 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 (SC).

“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 SC 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 that it would consider adjourning the petition sine die once that reply is filed.