ECP adjourns hearing of petitions against Imran, Tareen till 18th Jan

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday has adjourned the hearing of references seeking disqualification of PTI’s Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen as Parliamentarians till 18th January, ARY News reported.

An election commission bench heard the references against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen.

In the hearing, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chaudhry’s counsel pleaded the court to give his party more time and stated that they had sought more documents from the petitioners for which they need some time.

Chaudhry’s lawyer further stated that Akram Sheikh could not appear for the references’ hearing as he was unwell.

The commission bench expressed anger over the absence of lawyers in the hearing and remarked that the references should be withdrawn if they cannot be taken forward.

Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza observed that opposition parties accuse the commission of siding with the government but laud them for being independent when the verdict goes in favour.

He said that the commission will not come under pressure by such statements. He added that they can pressurize the government by giving statements.

The chief election commissioner, addressing the petitioner’s lawyer, also said that the party delaying the case and accusing the institution for holding it.

Imran Khan’s counsel argued that the petitioners is using delaying tactics in the case.