Imran's disqualification case in SC has effect on ECP case: CEC
July 12, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The chief election commissioner (CEC) observed on Wednesday that the ongoing Supreme Court case regarding Imran Khan's disqualification will have ramifications on the similar case under way at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
CEC Justice (Retd) Sardar Raza Khan made the comments during the hearing of Hashim Ali Bhutta's petition seeking the disqualification of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman on charges of collecting 'prohibited' party funds.
Bhutta's petition claims the PTI received around $3 million in 'foreign funding' through dubious sources in the United States.
During Wednesday's hearing, the PTI counsel informed the ECP bench that a similar case is being heard in the Supreme Court, adding that that case will be delayed if the Panama Papers case is heard on a daily basis by the Supreme Court.
Justice (retd) Raza observed that the apex court's case will have an effect on the ECP's ongoing case.
"We must first see what is the progress on the case being heard in the Supreme Court," the CEC stated, and adjourned the hearing till August 21.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Hanif Abbasi has filed a petition against Imran Khan accusing the PTI leader of not declaring his assets to the ECP.
The petition seeks to unseat Khan, based on alleged violations of the Income Tax Ordinance 1979 and Peoples Act 1974.
