ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday decided to revise the charge sheet in the foreign funding case against PTI founder Imran Khan and others after two new suspects were added to the investigation.
The Islamabad Banking Court heard the case on Friday, summoning two new people: Siraj Ahmed, PTI’s chief financial officer, and Faisal Qazi, an employee of a private bank, for questioning.
Justice Abdul Ghafoor Kakar presided over the hearing, with special prosecutor Wasiq Malik representing the prosecution.
“The partial indictment has already been submitted,” Malik told the court. “With the inclusion of two new suspects, we will submit a full indictment instead of a supplemental indictment.”
Judge Kakar asked how long it would take to complete the indictment. Malik said, “If the court grants time of 10 to 15 days, we will submit the complete charge sheet. »
Read: There is no excuse for state inefficiencies: SC
The court ordered that the complete charge sheet against Imran Khan and others be submitted by March 5. Interim bail for Siraj Ahmed and Faisal Qazi has been granted until then.
The next hearing in the PTI foreign funding case is scheduled for March 5.
In August 2022, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delivered its verdict in the prohibited funding case, formerly known as the foreign funding case, stating that the PTI had received prohibited funding.
The ECP noted that the PTI had “knowingly and willingly” received $2.12 million from Wootton Cricket Limited, operated by businessman Arif Naqvi, and described the party as a “willing recipient” of the prohibited funds.
The commission added that PTI also received donations from Bristol Engineering Services (UAE), E-Planet Trustees (Cayman Islands), SS Marketing Manchester (UK), PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975, which violated Pakistani laws.
The PTI, however, maintains that these funds were donations from Pakistanis living abroad and did not constitute illegal financing.
