ECP issues arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. The AFP/FileWarrants were issued by the ECP’s four-member bench. Contempt case hearing adjourned till January 17.ECP had issued notice to top PTI leaders last year.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case.

The warrants were issued by an ECP’s four-member bench headed by member Nisar Durrani, which heard the case.

In August last year, the ECP had issued a contempt notice to the PTI leaders for insulting the commission and its chief during various public meetings, press conferences and several interviews.

The notice charged that on various occasions they had insulted and made unparliamentary, intransigent and derisive remarks against the electoral body.

The bench, while rejecting the pleas of the PTI leaders for relief, today directed them to appear before it in the next hearing scheduled on January 17.

The commission had reserved judgment on their pleas on January 3.

Fawad to challenge orders

Soon after the verdict, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry announced that he would challenge the orders in the high court and file a contempt charge against the ECP.

“ECP’s decision to issue arrest warrants is in contempt of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Fawad said. He said the case was scheduled for January 17 and the verdict was announced today in violation of the rules.

The PTI leader said it was a “biased” decision by the ECP.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had also allowed the electoral body to proceed with contempt proceedings against Khan, Umar and Fawad.

During the last Election Commission hearing, lawyer Ali Bukhari appeared on behalf of PTI leaders and took the stand that Fawad’s mother was seriously ill and he was in a hospital in Lahore with her. Also his brother Faisal Chaudhry is a lawyer in this case and both brothers are with their mother at present.

He continued that Imran Khan has not yet been allowed to travel.

To this, an ECP member asked about his medical report, which claims that the PTI chief was unable to travel. The PTI lawyer promised to submit the report before the court.

Moreover, the commissioner said that he had not yet responded to the show’s case and directed him to submit the application for exemption from participation.

Asad Umar’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor said the PTI general secretary was supposed to attend the hearing but he could not reach the federal capital. He claimed: We have applied for the notification of the case, all three cases are of the same nature. The hearing will be held collectively and I will provide a mandatory response to the show’s case at the next date.

On that occasion the ECP DG had admittedly said that he had written in the show cause notice that it was issued from the Election Commission.

The ECP bench said that orders were issued on the appearance of the parties. To this, lawyer Ali Bukhari said that if a warrant was issued, their application would not be heard.

Senior advocate Anwar Mansoor argued that instead of the order, the ECP should make it the final appearance.

Ali Bukhari said that if they do not appear at the next appearance, then a warrant must be issued. The ECP member said that we will pass order on this, after which the hearing of the matter was adjourned till January 17.

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