ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan, in a unanimous verdict on Tuesday, said it has found that the PTI received prohibited funding.
The commission found that 34 foreign donations were taken in fundraising. The donations were taken from America, Australia, and the UAE.
In addition, PTI took funds from an American businessman, the ECP said.
Unknown accounts have also come to light, said the commission in its verdict, adding that hiding accounts is a “violation of the Constitution”.
Moreover, it found that PTI Chairman Imran Khan submitted a false Nomination Form I.
The ECP has issued a show-cause notice to PTI.
The case was earlier referred to as the “foreign funding” case, but later the election commission accepted the PTI’s plea to refer to it as the “prohibited funding” case.
The ECP on Monday released the cause list for the case. The cause list showed that the verdict will be announced by a three-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja — who arrived early in the morning at the office.
The decision to announce the verdict comes after a Financial Times exposé revealed that the PTI received funding from Wootton Cricket Club belonging to Abraaj founder Arif Naqvi. The funds were generated through a charity match and an Arab personality also pitched in a large sum of money.