ISLAMABAD: Two leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the United States (US) have allegedly misused party donations worth $2 million to increase their riches and carry out baseless propaganda against Pakistan and its state institutions, APP reported.
According to a report published in the America Daily Post, PTI USA head and advisor to Imran Khan, Sajjad Burki, allegedly received $1.8 million in donations but only remitted $30,000 back to Pakistan. The report, citing sources, claims that the funds were used to bolster the personal finances of Burki and Atif Khan while financing propaganda campaigns against Pakistan’s armed forces and influencing the 2024 general elections in Pakistan.
The media report claimed that Sajjad Burki founded the PTI company on 7-11-2018, shortly after Imran Khan became prime minister.
The document also mentions a manager, Umer Khan with address 7207 Regency Square Boulevard, Ste 247, Houston, TX 77036. The file number of the Secretary of State is 803064729. Attributing to two PTI insiders in the USA and Pakistan, the report claimed that over the last two years, Sajjad Burki and Atif Khan received donations from three leading US businessmen but none of those donations have been declared or sent to Pakistan. Instead, the funds were redirected towards personal coffers through PTI-related entities and websites, with little accountability or transparency regarding their utilization.
Burki formed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf USA LIC and used the limited liability company to obtain donations for his party, according to multiple pieces of evidence and statements of PTI insiders. The donations were taken on several websites made by PTI on which no audit has yet taken place. Most of the donations collected in the USA have reached their personal coffers, a PTI central leader who is now also a Member of the National Assembly said. The report said that only a tiny portion was sent to Pakistan to PTI’s account with no knowledge of the rest of the money. The party workers remain wary of questioning Sajjad Burki because he is close to Aleema Khan and Imran Khan, said the PTI insider.
The report further implicates the accused leaders in engaging in anti-Pakistan activities openly and covertly, utilizing social media platforms and connections with US politicians to disseminate false information and undermine the credibility of Pakistan’s institutions, including its armed forces.
Sajjad Burki’s association with various US politicians, some with links to India, has raised suspicions about his intentions and role within PTI USA, especially considering his close ties to Imran Khan and Aleema Khan.
The report also sheds light on PTI’s extensive use of lobbying firms in the US to target Pakistan’s armed forces and manage legal cases against Imran Khan. Recent disclosures have revealed ties between PTI leaders and foreign intelligence services, prompting concerns about the nature and objectives of PTI’s lobbying efforts overseas.
Furthermore, the report highlights the detrimental impact of such activities on Pakistan’s image and political stability, as well as the disillusionment of Pakistani expatriates who unknowingly contributed to these efforts. – APP
