The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar on Tuesday in matters involving alleged disrespect of the ECP.
A four-member ECP panel led by member Nisar Durrani denied the PTI leaders’ requests for an exemption from appearing before the electoral body at today’s session.
In exchange for surety bonds totaling Rs. 50 000, the commission issued arrest warrants for the politicians. January 17 has been set as the new date for the hearing.
SC permits ECP to pursue the contempt case against Imran and other PTI leaders
The Supreme Court permitted the ECP to carry on with its case against Imran and other PTI leaders last week.
It was reported that the SC stated during the hearing that the ECP’s initial actions have been permitted to proceed. The ECP was prohibited by the Supreme Court from making final decisions under Section 10 of the 2017 Election Act.
For allegedly using unsuitable language against the chief election commissioner and the ECP, the PTI leaders were served with contempt letters by the ECP last year. They were required to appear in person or through their counsels at the commission’s request.
PTI has argued that Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017 is unconstitutional in proceedings before different high courts. These high courts include the Lahore High Court, LHC Rawalpindi bench, Sindh High Court, and the Islamabad High Court. They presented this argument in the legal proceedings before these high courts.
According to the Election Act of 2017, “the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 (V of 2003), or any other law dealing to contempt of court, shall have effect accordingly. The Election Commission may have the same power as the High Court to penalize any person for contempt of court.
Notices are sent to Imran Khan, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry for violating the ECP for contempt.
Imran Khan, speaking at various public gatherings, has made multiple claims. The person he mentioned is Sikandar Sultan Raja, the current chief election commissioner. He alleged that Raja is biased against his political party PTI and is supporting Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Khan repeatedly claims this at various events.
