Non-bailable warrants out for Imran, Fawad

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and his former close aide Fawad Chaudhry. The warrants were issued due to their failure to appear before the electoral body in a contempt case.

Last year, the commission initiated contempt proceedings against Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar, the former PTI senior vice president and party secretary general, for repeatedly making statements against the ECP and its Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

The ECP had ordered Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar to ensure their presence at the next hearing. However, during Tuesday's hearing, Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry were absent.

Asad Umar, who is still affiliated with the PTI despite stepping down as secretary general, was represented by his assistant lawyer Umaima Mansoor.

Mansoor requested an adjournment of the hearing due to Umar's lawyer being on medical leave and Umar's ongoing medical check-ups. Fawad Chaudhry's lawyer stated that his client was unable to appear as he was in Lahore.

The ECP bench, led by Nisar Durrani, the commission's Sindh member, expressed annoyance at the repeated adjournments.

ECP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa member Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan remarked that all hearings could not be adjourned in this manner.

Umar’s legal representative replied that her client had appeared before the ECP several times.

To this, Justice (retd) Ikramullah noted that appearance before the commission was mandatory in a contempt case.

Umar’s lawyer filed an exemption plea on her client’s behalf.

Durrani observed that the case would never be resolved in this manner.

Consequently, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry, and the hearing was adjourned until July 25.

The contempt case originated when Imran Khan called for the resignation of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja after the Punjab by-polls, alleging that his party won despite the use of state machinery in favor of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Fawad Chaudhry, while still affiliated with the PTI, subsequently requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to remove the CEC from his position, accusing him of being a "crony" of the ruling alliance.

Asad Umar, in his capacity as PTI secretary general at the time, demanded the arrest of the CEC, claiming that the ECP was failing in its constitutional responsibility to hold elections in Punjab as instructed by the Lahore High Court.

The ongoing contempt case has led to tensions between the PTI and the ECP, with the commission expressing concern about the resolution of the case. The next hearing on July 25 will likely determine the course of action and the future implications for those involved.