Web Desk: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made a major breakthrough in the prohibited foreign funding case by naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan as the principal accused in a detailed challan, officials and media reports said.
The agency has prepared a 57-page challan, which is expected to be submitted to the relevant court by tomorrow. It names a total of 11 individuals in connection with the case.
According to the FIA challan, along with Imran Khan, key figures including Tariq Shafi and Hamid Zaman have also been nominated as accused. Meanwhile, Arif Naqvi, Tariq Rahim Sheikh, and another individual have been declared absconders.
Officials said the agency has compiled extensive documentary evidence and transaction records as part of the investigation and included them in the challan submitted for judicial review.
Investigators reported that approximately 1,800 transactions from multiple countries were routed into PTI-linked accounts, totaling around $2.1 million.
The challan alleges that these funds were received in accounts linked to the “Naya Pakistan” initiative. It further claims that significant amounts were transferred through a company identified as Vote on Cricket Limited.
Authorities said all financial records and supporting documentation have been attached to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
The FIA maintains that the accused individuals violated Pakistani law by receiving prohibited foreign funding through corporate and individual channels.
Officials also indicated that they will seek early hearings in court following the submission of the challan. The development is expected to open a new phase of legal and political challenges for PTI’s legal team.
The foreign funding case, one of the longest-running political and legal disputes in Pakistan, originally emerged from proceedings initiated by the Election Commission of Pakistan. At the core of the case is whether a political party received funding from foreign nationals or entities in violation of Pakistani law.
Investigators say the FIA probe has now shifted the matter from electoral scrutiny toward criminal proceedings, with the tracing of 1,800 international transactions and $2.1 million in funds presenting a significant investigative challenge with wide-ranging political implications.
Read more: Pakistan eyes key mediator role with offer to host US-Iran talks again
