ECP to hold contempt proceedings against Imran, Fawad at Adiala jail

ECP directs Ministry of Interior to report back after making necessary arrangements within two days

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday decided to conduct contempt proceedings against former PTI chairman Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudry in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail.

The proceedings will commence on December 13. Citing security concerns, the Ministry of Interior requested the electoral body to conduct the trial at Rawalpindi Central Jail, where both leaders are incarcerated.

The ECP has asked the interior ministry to make the necessary arrangements and inform within two days. 

The proceedings of the PTI chief’s trial in the Toshakhana, cypher, and £190 million settlement case are already taking place inside the premises of Adiala jail due to 'security concerns'.

Last year, the electoral body had initiated contempt proceedings against Imran, Fawad and former PTI leader Asad Umar for the language used against the chief election commissioner and the ECP, issuing non-bailable arrests through the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against them.

However, in a media talk on July 20, 2021, Fawad made a verbal apology to the electoral watchdog, stressing that he had "no personal issues with the CEC or the ECP” and that he was "the party spokesman at the time and all statements were in accordance with the party policy".

Read ECP may hold Imran’s contempt trial in jail

Maintaining that he was following the PTI’s policy, he had requested the ECP to “let the matter go” as he had apologised verbally.

As the leader apologised to the ECP for his statements, the CEC said he had "insulted the ECP. Your party chairman used disrespectful language against my wife".

The ECP, however, then ordered the former minister to issue a written apology before adjourning the hearing until August 1.

On November 23, Fawad unconditionally apologised to the ECP, urging them to quell the contempt case against him.

However, the three politicians challenged the ECP notices, protesting that Section 10 of the Election Act 2017 was against the Constitution of Pakistan. They had also sought relief from contempt proceedings from the high courts, instead of appearing before the ECP.