Imran Khan's PTI tenders unconditional apology to ECP after warning

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan. 17 (ANI): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is led by former cricketer Imran Khan, has tendered an unconditional apology to the Election Commission of Pakistan for accusing the latter of bias. The party has, however, refused to submit its financial accounts. PTI counsel Saqlain Haider submitted the apology and also withdrew the review application, reports the Express Tribune. The ECP on Monday resumed hearing of a case filed by a former PTI leader Akbar S Babar, who had accused the party of massive financial irregularities. In its reply submitted after many admonishments, the PTI had accused the ECP of bias. The PTI reply said the party had already secured a stay order from the Islamabad High Court on this issue, and hence, the case might be adjourned indefinitely. However, the PTI reply invited ire of the ECP officials, who issued a warning to the party, whose non cooperative attitude, it said, was the cause of delay in the case. Before the bench adjourned, the PTI lawyer - after seeking instructions from his client - submitted a handwritten unconditional apology and a request for withdrawal of the review application. Talking to the media outside the ECP, the petitioner - Akbar S. Babar- said the PTI's refusal to submit documents of all his allegations of corruption, money laundering, and illegal funding. However, in a statement later issued by the PTI's spokesperson, the party said the impression that the PTI chief had tendered an apology to the ECP was totally wrong. "Any such apology is out of question," the statements said, adding that the statement was submitted by the PTI counsel in his personal capacity. "The ECP should revisit its attitude seriously. It is a better strategy to enhance the image of the institution by changing its conduct rather than issuing threats," it said. (ANI)