Contempt of ECP: bailable arrest warrants of Imran Khan, others issued

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 10 Jan 2023

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders in a case related to the contempt of the electoral watchdog.

It is pertinent to mention here that on January 3, the ECP had adjourned the proceedings of this case until January 17, and the bench hearing the case had asked the PTI counsel to submit Imran Khan’s medical certificate and also submit an answer to show cause notice.

At the same time, the top election body has asked the Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry to submit their reply to the show-cause notices by Jan 17.

Reacting on the ECP verdict, senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and termed it as yet another biased decision. He said the ECP verdict was itself a contempt of the High Court.

The ECP verdict came exactly a week after the Supreme Court of Pakistan allowed it to continue its proceedings against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, and his party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in contempt case filed against them over controversial remarks against the electoral body.

The decision was announced by a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Ayesha A Malik but it has restrained the ECP from issuing a final order.

It may be recalled that last year, the ECP initiated contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders for allegedly using foul language against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP. It has served several notices on them, asking them to appear in person and explain their point of view.

However, the PTI leaders did not appear before the ECP and later challenged its powers to initiate contempt proceedings under Section 10 of the Election Act 2017 in different high courts. Section 10 of the election act states that the “election commission may exercise the same power as the high court to punish any person for contempt of court and the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 (V of 2003), or any other law pertaining to contempt of court shall have effect accordingly[…]”