A donor list presented by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has triggered further speculation over the party’s foreign funding sources after it emerged that many of the donors reportedly believed their money was going to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital (SKMH), and not the PTI .
As many as 35 per cent of donors on the list were reportedly unaware that their money had been directed to the PTI party’s coffers, an investigation by The News found. Only 27 per cent reported that they intended their donations to be used by the PTI.
The figures are based on an investigation by The News, which spoke to 29 people listed in the donor sheet. Of these, ten donors said they had intended their funds to go to Shaukat Khanum Hospital. Eight individuals said they donated money to the PTI for its political campaigns, specifically for Imran Khan. Seven people didn’t remember making the donation, and another four refused to cooperate.
In all, the 1,414 donor names on the supposed PTI-donor list collectively donated $467,320 in 2013.
Meanwhile, in response to the allegations, SKMH has issued a statement saying they strongly refuted the claims and maintain clear financial records of any and all donations received by the hospital, including those from within Pakistan and abroad.
“All funds donated to [SKMH] are, without exception, used for the purpose they were intended, which is, ultimately, to provide world class care to cancer patients, irrespective of their ability to pay,” said the statement from SKMH.
The ECP is currently investigating allegations of improper foreign fundraising by the PTI, following a petition filed by PTI founding member Akbar Babar in which he alleged the use of hidden bank accounts and money laundering.. In an earlier report, the scrutiny committee of the ECP found that the PTI had provided ‘false information’ regarding their funding streams.
