The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former federal information minister Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case against the electoral body and the chief election commissioner, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A four-member ECP bench on Wednesday conducted the hearing of the case at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. 

Both Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry were present in the courtroom during the ECP hearing and denied the allegations mentioned in the indictment.

The ECP bench then adjourned the hearing of the contempt case until January 16.

The ECP had initiated contempt proceedings against the former PTI chairman, former party leader Asad Umar and Fawad for insulting the commission and its chief during various public meetings, press conferences and several interviews.

According to the notice, the leaders faced the charges of passing unparliamentary, intemperate, and contemptuous remarks against the ECP on various occasions. The political leaders were asked to either personally appear before the commission bench to clear their position or through their counsel.

Instead of appearing before the ECP bench, they challenged the commission’s jurisdiction in several high courts. However, the Supreme Court in January 2023 allowed the commission to initiate proceedings against them and on June 21 the ECP had decided to frame charges against them which was yet to be done.

During the previous hearing on December 27, the electoral watchdog could not charge the PTI founder and ex-information minister. The hearing and the charge sheeting of the two were adjourned until January 3 (today). 

PTI leader Asghar Chaudhry, while speaking to media persons outside Adiala jail, said such an Election Commission was never seen even during the martial law era. "You rejected the nomination papers of the candidates and took away the papers from them. Even cruelty has an end," he lamented.

Reporter Irshad Qureshi