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 probe.
The Islamabad Banking Court on Friday heard the case, summoning two new individuals: PTI Chief Finance Officer Siraj Ahmed and private bank employee Faisal Qazi for questioning.
Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar presided over the hearing, with Special Prosecutor Wasiq Malik representing the prosecution.
“The partial charge sheet has already been submitted,” Malik told the court. “With the inclusion of two new suspects, we will submit a complete charge sheet instead of a supplementary one.”
Judge Kakar asked how much time would be needed to complete the charge sheet. Malik said, “If the court grants 10 to 15 days, we will submit the full charge sheet.”
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The court directed that the full charge sheet against Imran Khan and others be submitted by March 5. Interim bail for Siraj Ahmed and Faisal Qazi was granted 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 funding case, formerly known as the foreign funding case, stating that PTI had received prohibited funding.
The ECP noted that PTI “knowingly and willfully” 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 did not constitute illegal funding.
