ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday disposed off contempt of Election Commission Case against PTI leaders, asking high courts to to continue with the proceedings and decide the matter quickly.
It may be recalled that the ECP had issued contempt notices, in exercise of its powers of contempt, to Imran Khan and others for using “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and ECP. The notices were challenged by PTI leaders in different high courts.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Athar Minallah heard the ECP contempt case today in which the ECP also sought SC to order consolidation of all six petitions before one high court instead of defending the commission’s stance over the issuance of contempt notices against PTI leaders in different high courts.
During the proceedings, PTI lawyer Anwar Mansoor argued that the petitions could not be merged just for the facilitation of respondents. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked whether subjudice matters in different courts could be clubbed together. “Explain this under the light of previous court orders,” he told the ECP, on which the ECP counsel sought time for reading court decisions.
While wrapping the ECP’s pleas, the apex court directed high courts to decide on the PTI’s petitions against the election commission soon.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court disposed of the petition with the a direction to the ECP to continue the contempt proceedings as per the law.
