ECP reserves verdict in contempt of court case against Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reserved on Tuesday its verdict in a contempt of court case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, ARY News reported.

Headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza a five-member bench reserved the verdict after hearing arguments of Advocate Babar Awan, the counsel for the PTI chief.

It set August 10 for the pronouncement of the judgment.

Babar contended before the bench that ECP lacked jurisdiction to hear the contempt of court case. As per the country’s Constitution the Supreme Court and high courts were empowered to entertain such matters, he added.

Former PTI leader Akbar Babar had taken Khan to ECP earlier this year for accusing it of being biased against the PTI chief in a case related to 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, he added.

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