ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned PTI leaders Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry on January 3 in a case related to contempt of the electoral body.
A 3-member bench of the Election Commission, headed by Members Sindh Nisar Durani, heard the case of contempt of ECP against Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry here on Tuesday during which none of the accused appeared in person today.
Also read: Supreme Court disposes off ECP contempt case against PTI leaders
However Faisal Chaudhry advocate appeared on behalf of Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry while Anwar Mansoor appeared on behalf of Asad Umar before the ECP
Questioning the absence, Member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inquired that if Imran Khan was ill, why the rest of the people did not appear, to which Faisal Chaudhry said that Imran Khan was not yet fit to travel, adding that they hadn’t received written verdict of the Supreme Court on the appeal of the ECP, “and since the SC had maintained our objections, it will be better to wait for the release of written verdict.”
Anwar Mansoor advocate also joined and said that it would be appropriate to try all cases together.
Also read: Asad Umar questions ECP’s power to initiate contempt proceedings
During the course of hearing, member Punjab inquired that if Asad Umar had tendered apology to High Court, why didn’t he come here? “He should come to the ECP and say that he didn’t mean what was reported about his statement,” the ECP member said, adding that “after all, the real thing is the country, if there is a country, then there exist we.”
On this occasion, member Sindh remarked that the contempt wasn’t committed against any person, but it was committed against the ECP as an institution, on which Imran Khan’s lawyer said that all political parties and individuals were bound to respect the institutions, and that whatever has to happen has to be happened in accordance with the law, adding that “I am sure that the Election Commission will do justice.”
Member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remarked that no one should doubt about any prejudice, and the suggestion from member Punjab about apology should be considered, to which Asad Umar’s lawyer said he would convey this message to his client.
The Election Commission later adjourned the hearing till January 3 and directed Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry to appear in person at the next hearing.
