PTI Funding Case: Imran’s counsel challenges ECP jurisdiction again

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has once again challenged the jurisdiction of Election Commission of Pakistan in the party funding case and contempt of court case against its Chairman Imran Khan.

Earlier, the PTI chief had criticised Sharif family for challenging the apex court's jurisdiction during Panamagate case hearing. Khan had said: "If they (Sharifs) are innocent they should just simply present the proof of innocence rather than raising objection on jurisdiction of the court”.

An ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commission Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, heard the two cases on Monday.

PTI’s counsel Anwar Mansoor, in his arguments, held that the election commission cannot receive complaints against any political parties.

“First, it should be decided whether ECP has authority to hear the cases,” the lawyer said.

Chief Election Commissioner, in his remarks, asked whether the state institute will always be a target of criticism if it cannot hear such cases.

Meanwhile on Monday, the ECP barred Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from contesting by-polls in four constituencies.

The ECP order follows PTI’s failure in conducting intra-party elections in the prescribed time.

Moreover, the ECP has slapped ban of two months on the conduction of intra-party elections. The constituencies include: PP-23 Chakwal, Punjab; PS-81 Sanghar, Sindh; Mansehra’s PK-54 and Kohistan’s PK-82, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This ECP decision is also going to be challenged by PTI in Islamabad High Court (IHC) as Imran Khan has directed legal aides to prepare petition in this regard.

The PTI will plead to IHC to declare ECP’s decision illegal and unconstitutional.