Imran to face ECP contempt charge on 13th

Cases against PTI Chairman are for contempt of commission and the other for contempt of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has fixed hearing in contempt cases against jailed PTI Chairman Imran Khan for Nov 13.

The charge is to be framed against the former prime minister in two separate cases — one for contempt of the commission and the other for contempt of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. The ECP also summoned Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar in person.

On Oct 25, the ECP had summoned the interior secretary to appear in person on Nov 13 to explain why PTI chief Imran Khan could not be produced for a contempt hearing.

A four-member ECP bench, led by Sindh member Nisar Ahmed Durrani, had conducted the hearing on the matter of contempt of ECP and the chief election commissioner against Imran and two former PTI officials, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar.

While Chaudhry and Umar were present, Imran could not be brought from Adiala Jail to the proceedings. The assistant inspector general of police (operations) had presented a report suggesting potential risks associated with transporting Imran from the densely populated area of Rawalpindi. The report said the PTI chairman had himself said there were threats to his life.

In the Oct 11 hearing, Advocate Shoaib Shaheen told the commission that the PTI chairman was in jail and couldn’t attend the proceedings unless a production order was issued.

On Oct 19, a written order shared with the media emphasised the need for a swift verdict in the case lingering since August last year.