ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on non-appearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders in contempt case.
A four-member bench chaired by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani in the Election Commission heard the case of contempt against Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry.
Also read: Contempt of ECP: bailable arrest warrants of Imran Khan, others issued
During the course of hearing today, counsel for PTI leaders appeared before the commission and pleaded for the adjournment of the hearing, saying Faisal Chaudhry and other lawyers were not able to appear due to funeral prayers of former SCBA president Latif Afridi who was assassinated in Peshawar on Monday.
However, Member Sindh Nisar Durrani wondered why PTI leaders were absent. “Where is Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry? The high court has suspended arrest warrants but haven’t stopped them from appearing before the commission”, the ECP remarked.
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Member Ikramullah Khan maintained that the High Court has not barred Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry from appearing, moreover, if they do not appear themselves, the commission will return the attorney letters of the lawyers.
He further said that in a criminal case, the parties must appear themselves.
The commission – while granting a last chance to the PTI chief and the leaders to appear before the ECP – adjourned the hearing till January 24 adding that in case of non-appearance at the next hearing, unilateral action will be taken and the verdict will be pronounced.
Later, the ECP adjourned the hearing till January 24 after reserving verdict on non-appearance of Imran Khan.
