ECP reserves verdict against Imran Khan, others in contempt case

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday reserved the decision of the Election Commission contempt case against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, and other leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry.

In today’s hearing, Imran Khan and other party leaders did not appear before the commission despite arrest warrants.

The ECP member from Balochistan inquired that where are Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. To which member of ECP from Kyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) added that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had only suspended the warrant but did not stop them from appearing, adding that the application for exemption from attendance was also not filed.

The Election Commission stated that if they do not appear, we will issue an order.

PTI's junior counsel informed the commission that they cannot appear in the absence of senior counsel.  The assistant lawyer said that Faisal Chaudhry and other lawyers have gone to Latif Afridi's funeral.

The member of ECP said that if they would not appear, we will cancel the attorney letters of the lawyers. The Election Commission gave the last chance to PTI leaders to appear and reserved the decision, adjourning the hearing till January 24.

It is pertinent to not that earlier on January 10, ECP had issued bailable arrest warrants for PTI leaders in the case against them. The election body instructed each of three leaders to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000.