PTI foreign funding case: No part of scrutiny committee report should be kept confidential, says ECP chief

 

Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Faisal Javed Khan, Wednesday said that no part of scrutiny committee report regarding issuance of legal advisor for the case filed by Tariq Khosa and other political groups against foreign funding cases should be kept confidential.

In a statement after he chaired the first full day session of the Supreme Court Judges Association (SJA), Dr Khan said as far as details of foreign funding issues are concerned, there has been “absolutely nothing from PDM's side. We don't need any foreign funding," he said.

“We already have our legal team based in Karachi and Punjab. You look at all the evidence before us from across the world which is more than enough to prove your allegations,” he said.

The CJA had put up its recommendation against issuing formal advisory services to former Attorney General Khalid Sadiq on the issue related to foreign financing. The same recommendation was submitted by Justice Waqar Ahmed Choudhary to Prime Minister Imran Khan with regards, among others, to foreign funding cases.

Justice Sadiq had approached the PMO alleging “inappropriate conduct, maladministration & corruption in the government of the province of Punjab." He sought accountability of those responsible for his resignation from the provincial cabinet.

Justice Malik Zulfiqar Siddiqui had handed down the decision of the Judicial Council against furtherance of formal advisory services to PMS before the top court on October 23. As per available records, not only Prosecutor General of Sindh Saheb Butchandar had also approached the apex court to clear their names. Both judges were appointed in July, 2019.

“No part of this panel report shall or may in any way, shape or form be made public," Justice Khan said. The remaining portion must be disclosed to the petitioners, he added.

Justice Khan alleged that the whole panel report issued should be given to petitioner PTI. "What we received from the prime minister's office and what they get from any other source is completely irrelevant. We are asking you as who would have paid you some amount if it were abroad, to declare this information," he said.

Justice Nasir Usmani’s intervention