ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday decided to review 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 and summoned two new people – PTI CFO Siraj Ahmed and private bank employee Faisal Qazi – for questioning.
Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar presided over the hearing and special prosecutor Wasiq Malik represented the prosecution.
“The partial charge sheet has already been filed,” Malik told the court. “With the addition of two new suspects, we will file a full charge sheet instead of a supplemental one.”
Justice Kakar asked how much time would be required to complete the charge sheet. Malik said, “If the court grants 10-15 days, we will file the complete charge sheet.”
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The court ordered that the complete chargesheet against Imran Khan and others be submitted by March 5. Siraj Ahmed and Faisal Qazi were granted interim bail until that date.
The next hearing in the PTI foreign funding case is scheduled for March 5.
In August 2022, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued its verdict in the prohibited financing case, previously known as foreign financing case, stating that the PTI had received prohibited financing.
The ECP noted that the PTI “knowingly and voluntarily” 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.
PTI, however, maintains that the funds were donations from Pakistanis living abroad and do not constitute illegal financing.
