Fawad Chaudhry seeks apology in ECP contempt case

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has pleaded for an apology in the contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) case.

During the hearing, Chaudhry requested the ECP to solve the matter through an apology, Express News reported.

A four-member ECP bench, led by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani, heard the case in which Fawad appeared and stated that he had already apologised in three related cases.

"I have submitted apologies for these cases," Fawad Chaudhry said. However, Justice Ikramullah, a member of the ECP, reminded him that charges were to be framed today.

In response to a question from the ECP, Fawad requested that the matter be resolved with an apology. "Sir, please settle this with an apology," he pleaded. The ECP member responded, "Are you saying the same thing outside as well, or has something changed?" Fawad retorted, "These days, you are not paying attention."

The commission member said, "The witnesses have arrived in this case; let them mark their attendance."

Fawad Chaudhry replied, "You forget others' matters, but you remember mine." Afterward, the Election Commission adjourned the hearing of the case until December 10.

The hearing was adjourned until December 10, 2024.

Fawad Chaudhry said after the hearing that if a resolution is found through negotiations, it could improve politics. He added that the Pakistani ambassador in the US had opened the doors for Pakistanis, highlighting that political and human relations are interconnected.

He stated that when people are arrested, it is not just an individual issue but a global one.

He further claimed that there is no government of elected representatives in Pakistan at the moment.

A prime minister with only 18 seats has come to power. Fawad also noted that the founder of PTI had announced a protest on November 24, stressing that this protest is not limited to one party or individual, but is for all Pakistanis.

Fawad Chaudhry mentioned that if a solution is found through negotiations, it would lead to improvement in politics. He urged that such negotiations should not be seen as a compromise. The release of political prisoners, he added, is an issue in line with Pakistan's constitution, and they will continue their struggle for the restoration of the constitution and rule of law.

He concluded by saying that the final decision regarding the protest is expected by Thursday. If talks take place, it could lead to a decrease in the political temperature. The founder of PTI currently has three demands: the return of the mandate, the 26th constitutional amendment, and the release of political prisoners.