ISLAMABAD: Irked by the alleged pampering of PTI chairman Imran Khan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday voiced alarm over the delay in the announcement of verdict in the prohibited funding case against PTI.

“(The) foreign funding case is an example of how ‘Ladla’ is being protected. While NS (Nawaz Sharif) was convicted for not taking salary, ‘Ladla’ is untouchable. 8 years on, decision is still elusive. Imran Niazi filed 9 writ petitions in IHC & got 50 adjournments in the FF case,” the PM tweeted.

The tweet came two days after the prime minister urged the Election Com­mission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the “long-delayed” judgement. “For long has Imran Niazi been given a free pass despite his repeated and shameless atta­cks on state institutions. Impunity given to him has hurt the country,” he said.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also called upon the ECP for an early decision in the prohibited funding case.

Interior minister wants Imran-led party to dissolve Punjab, KP assemblies if it wants early polls

“The Pakistan Muslim League and its allies in the government demand the ECP announce its reserved verdict in the PTI’s prohibited funding case immediately,” he told a presser.

He said it had been proved that 350 foreigners and foreign companies, including Indians and Israelis, had funded the PTI. He said $750 million had been received in the PTI accounts, opened in the names of its members Amir Kiyani, Dr Humayun and others, who should be arrested for being involved in money laundering.

He said the ECP should not only announce the decision, but also take action against the party.

The minister alleged that during the last eight years, PTI had been using delaying tactics to prevent the case from reaching a logical conclusion.

Rana Sanaullah said the ECP had reserved its decision some eight weeks ago and wondered why it was not being announced. “What was the hurdle in its way,” he questioned.

About Imran Khan’s demand for removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, he said the incumbent CEC was appointed through a constitutional procedure and Imran Khan himself had proposed his name. The CEC could only be removed through the Supreme Judicial Council, he remarked.

Rana Sanaullah, while chiding the PTI for its demand for early elections, said the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtun­khwa assemblies should be dissolved before asking the coalition government to announce the date for early elections.

The interior minister said the PTI chief would never prefer early polls and was making such demands only to discredit the government. In fact, he added, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif himself wanted the country to move towards early elections.

Answering a question, he said the Model Town case had already been decided.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2022