- The ECP has told the Islamabad IG to bring Imran Khan before them tomorrow.
- On July 11, the ECP issued a warrant for the arrest of the PTI chief, which cannot be avoided.
- Khan has angered the ECP by continuously not attending the hearings.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a significant step in the ongoing case of contempt against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. On July 11, a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued for Imran Khan in relation to his alleged contempt of the electoral body. The ECP has now asked the Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICT) to fulfill its obligation by arresting Imran Khan.
Imran Khan’s absence from the hearings has been a source of frustration for the ECP, which led to their decision to pursue his arrest. Despite being repeatedly summoned in a personal capacity, the former prime minister had been skipping the hearings.
This contempt case has its roots in the aftermath of Imran Khan’s disqualification by the electoral watchdog in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for allegedly making false statements and incorrect declarations. Following this disqualification, Imran Khan started directing criticism towards the ECP and its chief.
The ECP had previously issued notices to Imran Khan and other PTI leaders for using inappropriate language and making allegations against the commission and its members. According to the content of the notices, Imran Khan had used “insulting and indecent language” against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja during several rallies.
In response to the ECP’s actions, Imran Khan’s party leader, Fawad Chaudhry, who was also involved in a contempt case, recently tendered an apology to the commission. Fawad Chaudhry, a former PTI leader, expressed that his statements were related to the party’s narrative when he served as its spokesperson. He conveyed respect for institutions, including the ECP.
The ECP raised concerns about the language used against the Chief Election Commissioner and his family during public gatherings. The case has also seen the involvement of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which suspended a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Fawad Chaudhry due to his non-appearance in a hearing.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court granted Imran Khan relief in a different case related to the murder of senior lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar in Quetta. The court restricted the police from arresting Imran Khan until August 9 in that particular case.
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Despite this relief, the ECP’s demand for Imran Khan’s arrest in the contempt case remains in effect. The commission has instructed the Islamabad IG to arrest Imran Khan and present him before them on the scheduled date.
The situation is being closely monitored by the public and political observers as it involves prominent political figures and raises questions about the respect for institutions and the rule of law in Pakistan. As the legal proceedings continue, the country awaits the outcome of the case and its potential implications for the political landscape.
