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Fawad Chaudhry, the head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), questioned the Federal Investigation Agency"s (FIA) summons to party officials on Sunday, claiming that they were not in office at the time when they allegedly received illegal funds.
The former federal communications minister questioned, "In what authority are the party members getting interrogated by the FIA," during a press conference earlier today. Those who were called, according to Chaudhry, did not hold public office in 2011–12.
Despite this, he claimed, the party is still working with the FIA.
Imran Ismail, Mahmoodur Rasheed, Asad Qaiser, and Seema Zia are among the PTI leaders who were summoned by the FIA after the agency formed a five-member committee to oversee the inquiry teams of its separate zones that are looking into the case of banned fundraising.
Chaudhry added that the party would also look into the lawsuits brought against its employees and members after the "Azadi March."
The PTI should cooperate with the FIA, he continued, adding that Rana Sanaullah, the interior minister, and Ataullah Tarar, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), should also be called in for questioning.
The PTI leader also discussed the Election Commission of Pakistan"s (ECP) most recent decision, asserting that the PTI has submitted information on all accounts.
Although Chaudhry agreed that all political parties should undergo an annual audit, he voiced dismay that the election watchdog had turned into a "subsidiary of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)."
"PML-N, PPP under ECP protection"
He also questioned why there was "no record" of the PML-N receiving funds of Rs. 10 million. He further stated that in order to complete its audit within 15 days, the PTI would sue the ruling party in court.
"They additionally exploited their accounts to launder money. The ECP must hear and rule on this case, he continued.
In addition, Chaudhry continued to criticise the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), claiming that Asif Ali Zardari led one wing while his son, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, led another.
"They used funding from one party for their justification. However, no political party is allowed to support another party under the ECP regulations. The PPP has listed its expenses but has not specified how the funds were used, he claimed.
He further questioned the ECP"s "protection" of the PPP and the PML-N and demanded that it render judgement in these instances as well.
"Who has the guts to rule Imran Khan out?"
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, was disqualified from running for office, and Chaudhry commented: "Who has the courage to dismiss Imran? Elections are not being announced because you think he will win by a two-thirds margin.
He also commented on the speaker"s recent acceptance of the resignations of PTI lawmakers, claiming that the speaker had no power to do so.
"The government is tired of its allies, so it is organising by-elections on nine seats. To secure a majority, they intend to gradually fill seats. This is a political ploy by them, Chaudhry continued.