Cannot disqualify Imran Khan over fake certificate, remarks CJP

Cannot disqualify Imran Khan over fake certificate, remarks CJP

Islamabad (Staff Report): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar on Tuesday remarked there is no law that states that a political party can be disqualified on the basis of a fake certificate.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar heard a petition filed by PML-N's Hanif Abbasi seeking the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PTI Secretary General Jahangir Tareen for the non-disclosure of assets, ownership of offshore companies, and for PTI being a foreign-aided party.

The court inquired Imran Khan’s counsel about objections raised by counsel for Abbasi, Akram Sheikh.

Is it right that US LLC an agent to PTI to collect funds? the chief justice asked. On which Anwar Mansoor said, yes it is.

When chief justice asked that whether prohibited funds should be accepted, Mansoor said that they returned such fund on receiving.

Replying to a question, he said that it was the responsibility of the agent to submit details to Fara, adding that submitted details are present on the website of Fara.

Chief Justice asked why petitioner has a contradictory stance regarding list showed on Fara website.

Mansoor said, “We have details of received funds,” adding that Imran Khan’s certificate was about received funds. Khan filed the certificate on the assurance of the agent.

Chief Justice also said that on which basis Imran Khan should be disqualified.

Akram Sheikh said that PTI could check the website, adding that it is not correct to blame the agent.

The chief justice remarked prohibited funds can be seized under Political Parties Act and the Public Representative Act do, adding that no any disqualification can be made under the law.