Top poll supervisory body directs PTI chief to reply to a contempt petition against him by August 23. PHOTO: PTI
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has jurisdiction to initiate contempt proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, the top electoral body ruled on Thursday.
Rejecting the PTI chief’s objections regarding the jurisdiction of the commission to initiate contempt proceedings, a five-member ECP tribunal — headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza — issued a notice to the opposition politician, directing him to reply to a contempt petition against him by August 23.
According to Express News, the ECP tribunal had on January 24 issued the contempt notice to the PTI chairman on a petition filed by Akbar S Babar, a former member of his party, seeking Imran’s disqualification on contempt charges.
Imran files reply to ECP’s contempt notices
However, the PTI chief, through his counsel Babar Awan, submitted in the tribunal on July 10 that the right to initiate contempt proceedings rests with the Supreme Court and high courts. The electoral body subsequently reserved its judgment on Imran’s petition, challenging the power of the top poll supervisory body to initiate contempt proceedings against him.
In light of the Thursday's ruling, the tribunal will continue to hear the contempt petition against the PTI chairman.
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