Thread by @Shehzad89

The basics for those who are confused and distracted by the spin.

1. What just happened?

The ECP said that PTI received prohibited funds from 34 non-nationals and 351 foreign companies.

They also hid and failed to declare 13 accounts.

🧵

2. Is PTI right to say that this is not a case of foreign funding?

Is it a case of foreign Governments funding PTI? No but the matter is likely to go to the courts for a clarification. The Financial Times story claims that a man who funded PTI later became a minister in UAE.

The matter of foreign commercial entities funding a political party in Pakistan is also problematic.

3. Is PTI right to say this is just Overseas Pakistanis funding PTI?

No, that is complete spin. This is about non-Pakistanis. Overseas Pakistanis are free to fund PTI.

4. Well the non-nationals funding PTI only amounts to $16,205...

I agree, that is more of a case of irregularity than a widespread conspiracy. The law prohibits it.

5. What about the companies?

This is more problematic. For instance, E-Planet Trustees gave PTI $101,741 and is registered in the Cayman Islands.

Usually, dummy companies are created and money is rerouted through the Cayman Islands so it begets the question what PTI agreed to

for against this payment and who is behind this payment?

There are lots of issues with the funding, which is why it is prohibited by law.

6. Isn't it good that PTI declared these funds and there is no undeclared funding?

The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

7. What about the accounts?

Not declaring 13 accounts being used for fundraiser has to be seen as wilful deceit.

8. But Fawad Chaudhry says Imran Khan didn't know about the accounts.

Doubtful. Anyway, ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

These accounts were being handled by PTI officials. The party can't distance itself from them now.

9. If PTI wanted illegal funds, why would they use bank accounts?

Because the laws in other countries are not as laxed as ours.

You cannot hold a fundraiser in the US and not provide an account.

What do you expect? PTI would have asked donors to hondi money or collected cash in theliyan to bring back?

10. So what now?

The ECP has asked PTI to show cause.

11. So will Imran Khan be banned?

Nothing like that is on the cards. Most likely ECP will just ask PTI to return the money.

12. Why are people saying Imran Khan will be banned?

PTI submitted a certificate (that PTI claims was an affidavit) to the ECP that was false (did not declare all accounts) signed by Imran Khan.

They can move to the SC on that basis to declare Imran Khan is not Sadiq and Ameen

13. PTI claims these were subsidiary accounts

Fake news. The case lasted 8 years, PTI could have shown that through evidence if that was the case.

14. Fawad Chaudhry claims Imran Khan signed relying on the accountant.

You can't hide behind the accountant.

15. Why is this happening now?

Akbar S. Babar saw illegality and irregularity in his own party and went to the courts 8 years ago. Credit to him for being a whistle-blower and pursuing this case despite facing backlash.

@asbabar786

Now that Imran Khan and the Establishment have seemingly had a falling out the ECP has been emboldened to give the judgment.

The evidence has been with them for years.

16. What about the Financial Times story?

That has helped create the public narrative.

The FT story shows evidence that PTI received over 2 million dollars from alleged money launderer Arif Naqvi through dubious means.

17. What do you think should happen?

PTI and Imran Khan should not be banned. It is convenient for the courts to turn against someone when they have a falling out with the Establishment.

The law is the law but when the the law is applied and who it is applied against makes one question the intention of our legal system.

A democratically elected Prime Minister was removed and disqualified for life over an undeclared Iqamah despite not drawing a salary.

By the same principles Imran Khan also isn't "Sadiq" and "Ameen" anymore but I am not in favour of such judicial activism.

The money should all be returned to the Government. PTI should be allowed to exist and contest elections.

The people, however, should stop buying the manjaan that everyone else is corrupt except us, especially from a party that moved heaven and earth just to get Pervaiz Elahi elected.

A man Imran Khan called the biggest daku in Punjab.