ECP contempt case: Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, Asad Umar given last chance for submitting reply

ISLAMABAD, Mar 28 (SABAH): Former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar in ECP contempt case have again sought grace period for submitting reply.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while hearing the contempt case against Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar warned them that they were being given last chance and if they failed in presenting their arguments on the next date of hearing then they would be charge framed. 

A three-member bench headed by Member ECP Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani conducted hearing of the ECP contempt case against Imran and other PTI leaders. 

Lawyer Faisal Fareed Chaudhry appeared before the Commission on behalf of Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry. During the hearing interesting sentences exchanged between members of ECP and Faisal Chaudhry.

Faisal Chaudhry while submitting adjournment application adopted the viewpoint that ‘Imran’s security was taken back. Islamabad High Court has issued notice to the federal government which is why decision of Imran appearance in person be reversed.’ To this ECP replied, ‘you had to present arguments today.’

Lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan argued before the ECP that Asad Umar have to appear before the Anti-Terror court which is why he cannot appear before the commission. Member commission said that parties have been continuously absent from the ECP which was why they wanted to go ahead the proceedings. “If you give importance to the commission then the issues would be sorted out. The courts have stopped us to declare our final decisions,” he further argued.

To this, Lawyer Faisal Chaudhry replied that first information reports (FIRs) are being filed against them on daily basis. Whereas ECP Sindh Member Nisar Ahmed Durrani remarked that they should not give chance that the FIRs could be filed against them and continued they wanted to make the ECP an independent institution.

To this the lawyer replied, “If the commission would have held the elections in timely manner it would have been independent. ECP should issue contempt notice if someone suspends the elections. Ministry of Finance cannot refuse in releasing funds.” To this member KPK replied, “Who told you that elections are not being held.”

ECP while giving last chance to the parties for submitting reply and adjourned the hearing till April 18.