ECP explains its stance on secrecy in foreign funding case.

ISLAMABAD -- The ElecAtion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again expAlaAined its position over the extAent of secrecy in the foreign funding case against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

'There seems (to be) confusion about open/closed hearing of the case. It is again clarified that there will be open hearing of the case before the coAmmission once the scrutiny committee submits its report,' ECP spokesman Nadeem Qasim said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

He said in-camera proceedings would be conducted before the scrutiny committee though it was being carried out in the presence of both parties.

Reacting to the latest ECP statement that the scrutiny would be conducted in camera while the trial would be open, the petitioner and PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar stated that keeping the scrutiny secret was in violation of ECP's own order of May 30, 2018 that rejected PTI's application to keep scrutiny and record secret.

The ECP order had explicitly stated that all record before the committee was public record.

'So why 23 PTI bank statements acquired on SBP instructions and other PTI financial documents not only were kept secret from the public but also from the petitioner against the law and all norms justice and transparency,' he asked.

The petitioner said the first point of the scrutiny committee's terms of reference (TOR) stated that the inquiry would be conducted in the presence of the two...