ECP set to indict Imran today in contempt case

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to indict today (Wednesday) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the contempt of the commission and chief election commissioner (CEC) case and the PTI chairman has been asked to ensure his presence before the ECP bench.

The electoral body’s four-member bench, headed by Sindh member of the commission Nisar Ahmad Durrani, had deferred the PTI chairman’s indictment last week on the request of his counsel. It was the first time Imran Khan appeared in this case, which had started in August of the previous year, initiated against him and two other erstwhile top party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. They were accused of allegedly using intemperate and contemptuous language against the commission and chief election commissioner during their media interactions on various occasions.

Imran, who was served non-bailable warrant recently, had attended the ECP bench hearing along with his counsel Shoaib Shaheen. The PTI chief’s lawyer requested a deferment, saying that he needed more time to collect the case record. The commission retorted by reminding him that it was his responsibility to manage the file and case record.

Meanwhile, the ECP has reminded all the heads of political parties, in terms of section 210 of the Elections Act, 2017 read with section 204 of the Act ibid and rule 159 & 160 of the Election Rules, 2017, thereof, that they are required to file with Election Commission their consolidated statement of accounts for financial year 2022-23 ended on 30th June 2023 on or before 29th August, 2023.

It may be recalled that Section 210 of the Elections Act provides that a political party shall, in such a manner as may be prescribed, submit to the Commission, within sixty days from the close of a financial year, a consolidated statement of its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant on Form-D containing: (a) Annual income and expenses; (b) Sources of its funds; and (c) Assets and liabilities.

The statement to be submitted to the ECP shall accompany the report of a chartered accountant with regard to the audit of accounts of a political party and a certificate signed by an office-bearer authorised by the party Head stating that: (i) No funds were received by the party from any source prohibited under the Elections Act, 2017. (ii) The statement of accounts contains an accurate picture of the financial position of the party. (iii) The information given is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. (iv) The statement is audited by the Charted Accountant and detailed report thereof is annexed.