Foreign Funding Case: Islamabad High Court rejects PTI's plea against ECP jurisdiction

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, challenging the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the foreign funding case.

IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani issued a short order after he reserved verdict on Friday. The decision comes after Supreme Court said that ECP holds the jurisdiction.

In 2014, disgruntled leader Akbar Babar moved the ECP to disqualify PTI Chairman Imran Khan for allegedly taking funds from illegal sources and irregularities in the bank accounts of the party.

He also accused Imran of using illegal channels to transfer $3 million, funds collected by PTI chief, from the Middle East to PTI members' accounts.

The PTI had challenged the jurisdiction of the ECP by maintaining that it cannot provide its bank account details to the poll body as technically it has become a party against it.

Now, A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by  Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Sardar Raza Mohammad Khan, will hear the foreign funding case against the PTI on February 7.