Fawad’s arrest warrants issued in contempt case

ISLAMABAD:

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry did not appear despite being summoned in the contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) case, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

A member of the Commission noted that Fawad is not in jail and questioned his absence. The electoral watchdog emphasised its independence, stating it is not subordinate to anyone.

The case was heard by a four-member commission headed by Nisar Durrani. The assistant counsel explained that PTI’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen was busy in the Islamabad High Court. A commission member questioned the importance of the case and the absence of both Fawad Chaudhry and his lawyer.

ECP’s Deputy Director of Law, Saima Janjua, clarified that there was no injunction from the IHC in the case. Although the court had stayed the final order, action could still be taken. The ECP issued a bailable arrest warrant for Fawad Chaudhry and adjourned the hearing until August 7.