1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?

Section 204 (Elections Act, 2017). Membership fee, contributions and donations.

(3) Any contribution or donation made, directly or indirectly, by any foreign source including any foreign government, multi-national or public or private company, firm, trade or professional association or individual shall be prohibited.

Explanation for the purpose of this section—

(a) ―contribution or donation includes a contribution or donation made in cash, kind, stocks, transport, fuel and provision of other such facilities; and

 (b) ―foreign source shall not include an Overseas Pakistani holding a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis issued by the National Database and Registration Authority.

Section 212 Dissolution of a political party.—(1) Where the Federal Government is satisfied on the basis of a reference from the Commission or information received from any other source that a political party is a foreign-aided political party or has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan or is indulging in terrorism, the Government shall, by a notification in the official Gazette, make such declaration.

Explanation.—In this section, foreign-aided political party‘ means a political party which—

(a) has been formed or organized at the instance of any foreign government or political party of a foreign country; or

(b) is affiliated to or associated with any foreign government or political party of a foreign country; or

(c) receives any aid, financial or otherwise, from any foreign government or political party of a foreign country, or any portion of its funds from foreign nationals.

Source: Section 212, (1) and (3), Elections Act, 2017.