ECP issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Fawad Chaudhry in contempt case

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A five-member bench of the Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja held the contempt proceedings against former federal information minister on Thursday.

The associate lawyer of Fawad Ch appeared before the bench. He requested the commission to adjourn the hearing of the case.

During proceedings, Islamabad police official told the bench that in order to execute the warrant, policemen went to the house of Fawad Ch where they were told by his brother Faisal Ch that he was not home.

The bench inquired of the lawyer whether Fawad would come to the ECP. The bench noted that neither Fawad came to the ECP nor did he submit a petition seeking exemption from appearing before the bench.

The lawyer said that this case was already in the Islamabad High Court where the ECP lawyer was supposed to give his arguments today. He requested the ECP bench to put off the hearing as the high court would decide the case in a couple of days.

But the bench rejected the lawyer’s plea and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Fawad Ch.

After that, the commission adjourned the hearing till July 20.

IHC reserves verdict on Fawad’s plea against ECP show cause notice

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court today reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Fawad Ch against the show cause notice issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

IHC Chief Justice, Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.

At the outset of the hearing, the chief justice remarked that according to the petitioner’s lawyer, two separate actions could not be taken on a single offence. He said that now the ECP lawyer explained that two proceedings could be held simultaneously.

ECP lawyer Saad Hassan cited court references in support of his arguments.

Chief Justice Farooq observed that court decisions were there which proved that both civil and criminal proceedings were held at the same time.

While arguing, Fawad’s lawyer Faisal Ch said that a criminal case was registered against Fawad on the request of the ECP. He said that the commission also started contempt proceedings against Fawad in haste.

He lamented that the full commission was hearing the contempt proceedings against Fawad, thus leaving no room for his client to enter appeal against its decision.

After listening to the arguments from both sides, the judge reserved his verdict.

 

Reporter Rozina Ali