Contempt case: Shah advises Imran to appear before ECP

Says Imran can avoid being taken to the court by police

ISLAMABAD: There is still ample time and Imran Khan should appear before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), avoiding being taken to the court by police, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said on Thursday.

He was speaking to media persons here.

“It is better for Imran to appear before the court himself today and show that he holds national institutions in high esteem,” Shah said.

Earlier, the ECP issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran in a contempt of court case.

Referring to Captain (retd) Safdar’s speeches on Qadianis and Ahmedis, Syed Khursheed Shah observed that it amounted to opening a Pandora’s Box for Nawaz Sharif. The opposition leader said it was not appropriate to talk about something whose finality had already been settled. “Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last prophet and he is revered by all of us,” he stated.

Moreover, he stated that there were some persons who believe themselves to be beyond reproach. He said parliament was the ultimate remedy and the people should not cast their vote for a person who avoided visiting parliament.

On a number of occasions, he had called for banning the induction of Qadianis and Ahmedis in the armed forces and the judiciary. During his speeches in the National Assembly, he vowed to keep raising this subject until his objectives were met.

In a recent speech in the National Assembly, Captain (retd) Safdar had also questioned the loyalties of Qadianis and Ahmedis with Pakistan.