Contempt of ECP case: Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry summoned on Jan 03

ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday summoned former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and PTI senior leaders including Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in contempt of ECP case on January 03.

ECP’s four-member bench headed by Member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani and comprising Member ECP Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Member ECP Punjab Babar Hassan Bharwana and member ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan conducted hearing of the case relating to contempt of ECP case against Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. None of them appeared before the ECP; however, Faisal Chaudhry Advocate on the behalf of Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry appeared before the Commission whereas Asad Umar’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan also appeared before it.

During the hearing, member KPK asked if Imran Khan was ill [and could not appear before Commission] but why the other people did not appear before the ECP.

To this, Faisal Chaudhry Advocate argued that Imran Khan has till now not so stable that he could embark on a journey. He further argued that so far no verdict has been issued on ECP’s appeal in the Supreme Court and continued it sustained their objections whereas let that verdict to come. Anwar Mansoor Khan Advocate also said it would be better to run the case of all of them along side.

Whilst hearing, Member ECP Punjab Babar Hassan Bharwana questioned if Asad Umar has excused from the court then why he didn’t come here before the Commission. He should come here before the ECP and inform us that he was not intended to say so. He furthered the important thing is the country and added if the country exists “we all exist.”

Member ECP Sindh remarked contempt was not committed against anybody but it was against electoral body. To this, Imran Khan’s lawyer said that all political parties and citizens were required to respect the institutions and further argued all this will happen in the light of law. He said they were hopeful of the justice provided by the ECP.

Member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan remarked, “You need not to be suspicious. We have no enmity with anyone. Think about apologizing talk of member Punjab.” To this Imran Khan’s lawyer said, “I will transmit your message to Asad Umar.”

ECP adjourned the hearing till January 03 and summoned Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry on the next hearing.