Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has finalized its charge sheet in the foreign funding case and has named former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan as the primary accused. The board is expected to present the indictment in court today (Wednesday).
According to sources, the charge sheet covers 57 pages and names a total of 11 accused, with Imran Khan as the prime accused. The document also includes people like Tariq Shafi and Hamid Zaman. Three suspects have been declared perpetrators, including Arif Naqvi and Tariq Rahim Sheikh.
FIA prosecutors state that approximately 1,800 transactions were made on PTI’s accounts from various countries around the world. These funds were allegedly received under the title “Naya Pakistan”.
Sources further disclosed that the accused are facing allegations of receiving illegal funding of $2.1 million. It is also alleged that PTI received another $2.1 million from a company called “Wootton Cricket Limited”.
According to the FIA, records submitted by PTI to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) identified Arif Naqvi as the owner of Wootton Cricket Limited, where the company is allegedly registered in the Cayman Islands. However, the indictment alleges that the company is fictitious and was not found to be registered anywhere.
Sources added that a special court had asked the FIA to submit the charge sheet and in accordance with these instructions, it is expected to be presented shortly.
In the meantime, the case is in
the case proceeded to a banking court in Islamabad where it
the hearing was conducted by special court judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar. During the hearing, Special Prosecutor Wasiq Malik and the Director of Investigation appeared before the court.
Justice Abdul Ghafoor Kakar inquired about the status of the charge sheet. Prosecutor Wasiq Malik informed the court that the document was fully prepared and would be submitted to the registrar either later in the day or tomorrow.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the main proceedings till April 21 and extended the anticipatory bail of accused Siraj Ahmed and Faisal Qazi to the same date. Arguments on Faisal Qazi’s bail objection could not be made due to his absence during the hearing.
Prosecutor Wasiq Malik questioned how the accused could travel abroad without informing the court. The defense lawyer replied that Faisal Qazi runs a private bank in Dubai and travels to Pakistan for every hearing.
In reply, Justice Kakar
noted that if the defendant does not appear at the next hearing, the court will take up the case
therefore. The FIA has already filed a case against
PTI founder and others charged with money laundering and related offences.
