ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) referred prohibited funding case filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and PTI leaders to banking court. IHC resumed hearing on case in connection with party allegedly receiving prohibited funding against Imran Khan and other PTI leaders including Tariq Shafi and Faisal Maqbool.

During hearing, court remarked that said case will be heard in banking court and further directed that Tariq Shafi and Faisal Maqbool should join investigation within five days. "Accused should be investigated and referred to banking court," said IHC. Earlier, a court on Monday approved interim bail of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in prohibited funding case till October 31. Special Judge Central Asif Mahmood directed Imran Khan to submit surety bonds of Rs 100,000.

Court also issued notice to Federal Investigation Agency over Imran Khan's plea. FIA's Corporate Banking Circle had lodged case against 11 people including former prime minister over prohibited funding. Islamabad High Court had granted protective bail to Imran Khan till October 18 against surety bonds of Rs 5,000. According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against PTI Chairman, the accused nominated in the FIR has violated the Foreign Exchange Act.

Sardar Azhar Tariq, Saifullah Niazi, Syed Younas, Amir Kiyani, Tariq Sheikh, and Tariq Shafi have been nominated in the FIR. The FIR stated that the accused are beneficiaries of the private bank account, while the PTI had an account at the local bank and the private bank manager has also been nominated in the case.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 21 2022

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