In the Contempt Case verdict Election Commission of Pakistan issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders.
The ECP had reserved the verdict of the case on 3 January 2023. The warrants were issued by an ECP’s four-member bench headed by member Nisar Durrani hearing the case.
In August last year, the ECP issued a contempt notice to the PTI leaders for insulting the Election commission and its chief during various public meetings, press conferences, and interviews.
Earlier Supreme Court of Pakistan had allowed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to continue its proceedings against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, and his party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case filed against them over controversial remarks against the electoral body.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Athar Minallah heard the ECP’s petition.
Remember here one thing Last year, the top Election Commission of Pakistan registered contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders for allegedly using foul language against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP. It has served several notices, asking them to appear in person and explain their point of view.
However, the PTI leaders did not appear before the ECP and later challenged its powers to initiate contempt proceedings under Section 10 of the Election Act 2017 in different high courts.
As today ECP announces his verdict, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry announced that he would challenge the warrants in the high court and file a contempt plea against ECP.
“ECP’s decision to issue arrest warrants is contempt of the high court’s decision,” said Fawad. He said that the case was scheduled for January 17 and the verdict was announced today in violation of the rules.
The PTI leader said that it was a “biased” decision of the ECP.
