ECP rejects PTI's objections in contempt case, issues show cause notice to Imran

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejecting the objections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over the jurisdiction of the election body to hear a contempt of court case, has issued a ‘show cause’ notice to the PTI chief, ARY News reported.

A five-member bench of the ECP on Thursday was hearing a petition filed by Akbar S. Babar, seeking disqualification of Imran.

The ECP in its ruling said that it can hear and take action in the contempt of court cases. The ECP granted time to PTI chief Imran Khan till August 23 to submit his reply before the ECP.

The PTI chairman Imran had challenged the election commission’s jurisdiction in the case while submitting a reply on July 10.

Subsequently, Imran’s counsel Advocate Babar Awan contended that the constitution grants ECP a different status than the high courts and such cases fall under the jurisdiction of high courts.

On July 25, the election commission had reserved a decision in the case after hearing Awan’s arguments.

Former PTI leader Akbar Babar had taken Khan to ECP earlier this year over a statement in which he had accused the electoral body of being biased against him in a case related to the party’s foreign funding. The petitioner argued that Khan should have tendered apology over his comments but he failed to do so. Instead his lawyer tendered apology in his personal capacity.

Earlier on Jan 24, the ECP had issued a contempt notice to the PTI chief over his contemptuous remarks about the ECP.