'PTI chairman cannot be produced in ECP contempt case'

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that producing PTI chairman Imran Khan in a contempt case is a ‘security risk’, ARY News reported. 

Last year in August, the ECP had issued notices to Chaudhry, and others for allegedly using “intemperate” language against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral body.

A four-member commission headed by Sindh Member Nisar Durrani heard the contempt case against former prime minister Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar. The former federal ministers appeared before the court, while the PTI chairman, who is in Adiala Jail was not presented.

The ministry and Islamabad police have informed the ECP in this regard citing that the production of the former premier would be a security risk. The ministry issued an apology to the ECP.

AIG operations said the PTI chairman had been expressing concerns about his security. The Interior Ministry has recommended to ECP to hear the contempt case in the jail.

Read more: Fawad Chaudhry’s apology accepted in ECP contempt case

During the hearing, ECP said how the Interior Ministry will hold peaceful elections when it is not able to give security to an individual.

The ECP while summoning the secretary Interior Ministry adjourned the further hearing of the case until November 13.

It is important to mention here that as per the production orders, the PTI chairman has to be presented before the ECP in the contempt case.