The federal government has apologized for not presenting PTI Chairman Imran Khan before the Election Commission due to security threats, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
When the Punjab Police told the commission that bringing Imran Khan out of the jail is a security risk, the visibly annoyed Election Commission remarked that if the Ministry of Interior could not provide security to one person, how could it conduct the elections?
The Commission then summoned the Federal Interior Secretary.
A four-member ECP bench under the chair of its Sindh member Nisar Durrani heard a contempt case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar on Tuesday.
PTI Chairman's lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar appeared before the bench for the case proceedings.
At the outset of the hearing, the federal government informed the commission that they could not produce Imran Khan due to security threats. On this, the PTI chairman's lawyer said that the contempt of the commission has been committed today.
On behalf of the Ministry of Interior, AIG Operations Punjab Police while submitting the report to the Election Commission regarding the PTI chairman’s production said that there are threats to the life of Imran Khan and he himself has expressed it.
ECP Sindh member Durrani asked the AIG if he really believed in what the PTI chairman said was true.
On this, the AIG Operations suggested that the Election Commission go to Adiala Jail and hear the case as Rawalpindi is densely populated and not free from dangers.
Exasperated by his reply, the Election Commission said how could the Interior Ministry advise us to hold a hearing in Adiala Jail. “If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will the election be held,” the ECP wondered.
The Election Commission summoned the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and adjourned the hearing till November 13.
It should be noted that during its previous hearing, the Election Commission had issued the production orders for the PTI chairman for today.
Reporter Usman Khan