Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has finalized its charge sheet in the foreign funding case and named former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan as the main accused. The agency is expected to submit the indictment to the court today (Wednesday).
According to sources, the chargesheet comprises 57 pages and names a total of 11 accused, with Imran Khan named as the main accused. The document also includes individuals such as Tariq Shafi and Hamid Zaman. Three suspects were declared offenders, including Arif Naqvi and Tariq Rahim Sheikh.
The FIA charge sheet states that around 1,800 transactions were made in the PTI accounts from various countries across the world. These funds were allegedly received under the title “Naya Pakistan”.
Sources further revealed that the accused face allegations of illegal financing amounting to $2.1 million. It is also alleged that PTI received another $2.1 million from a company named ‘Wootton Cricket Limited’.
According to the FIA, records submitted by the PTI to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) identified Arif Naqvi as the owner of Wootton Cricket Limited, with the company apparently registered in the Cayman Islands. However, the indictment claims that the company is fictitious and has not been registered anywhere.
Sources added that a special court had directed the FIA to submit the charge sheet and as per the directions, it is expected to be submitted soon.
Meanwhile, the procedures in
the case continued in a banking court in Islamabad, where the
The hearing was conducted by Special Court Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar. During the hearing, special public prosecutor Wasiq Malik and the investigating officer appeared before the court.
Justice Abdul Ghafoor Kakar asked about the status of the indictment. Prosecutor Wasiq Malik informed the court that the document had been fully prepared and would be submitted to the registrar later today or tomorrow.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the main hearing to April 21 and extended the interim bail of accused Siraj Ahmed and Faisal Qazi till the same date. Arguments on Faisal Qazi’s bail application could not be presented due to his absence during the hearing.
Prosecutor Wasiq Malik wondered how the accused could travel abroad without informing the court. The defense lawyer responded that Faisal Qazi ran a private bank in Dubai and traveled to Pakistan for every hearing.
In response, Judge Kakar
noted that if the accused fails to appear at the next hearing, the court will take up the case
therefore. The FIA has already filed a complaint against the
PTI founder and others charged with money laundering and related offenses.
