PTI challenges ECP jurisdiction in contempt case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday has challenged the jurisdiction of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a contempt of court case against the party chairman Imran Khan, ARY News reported.

Imran Khan’s new counsel Babar Awan appeared in the hearing today.

Awan contended that Election Commission of Pakistan lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over contempt of court. He insisted that as per the constitution the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts have jurisdiction to give a judgment on the matter.

Hearing the argument, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza asserted that the election commission holds the powers similar to a High Court. The election commission adjourned the contempt hearing till July 19 .

Imran Khan’s counsel sought time for submission of reply in the party’s funding case. The election commission granted time to the PTI to submit its reply by August 16. The CEC said that if the answer not filed by August 16, the bench will announce its decision.

It is worth mentioning here that a petition was filed by a PTI former leader Akbar Babar earlier this year alleging that PTI Chief Imran Khan has committed contempt of court in his comments on the party funds, claiming that he had not apologized to the ECP over his comments instead his counsel did so in his personal capacity.

Speaking to the media outside ECP building, PTI’s Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said that opponents are spreading false information in the media pertaining to appearance of Imran Khan before the courts.

He said that the party’s legal counsel has formed arguments on technical points.

Joining in the conversation, Babar Awan said that Imran Khan is not facing any case relating money laundering and corruption which could disqualify him from contenting elections.