ECP issues arrest warrants for Imran Khan, other PTI leaders

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other  PTI leaders in a contempt case, ARY News reported.

The ECP had reserved the verdict of the case on January 3.

Former prime minister Imran Khan, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar had sought immunity from attendance in the case which was turned by ECP bench today.

The ECP has directed PTI leaders to secure bail against surety bonds of worth Rs50,000 each before January 17.

On Tuesday last week, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had allowed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to continue its proceedings against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, and his party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in contempt case filed against them over controversial remarks against the electoral body.

Read More: ECP CONTEMPT CASE: SC ISSUES NOTICES TO IMRAN KHAN, OTHER PTI LEADERS

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Athar Minallah heard the ECP’s petition.

Contemp cases against PTI leaders

Last year, the top electoral body initiated contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders for allegedly using foul language against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP. It has served several notices on them, asking them to appear in person and explain their point of view.

However, the PTI leaders did not appear before the ECP and later challenged its powers to initiate contempt proceedings under Section 10 of the Election Act 2017 in different high courts

The ECP in its six petitions had urged the top court to transfer all its contempt cases against PTI leaders from different high courts to a single one.

The commission maintained that it had issued contempt notices to PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan as well as other party leaders including Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry in the months of August and September

In set of petitions, the ECP argued that the high court orders were illegal and unlawful having effectively suspended Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017, by restraining the ECP from taking ‘adverse action’ against PTI leaders.