ECP stays contempt proceedings against Imran, PTI leaders on courts’ orders
Fawad Ch challenges ECP notice in LHC, Rawalpindi bench
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The Election Commission of Pakistan has sought a reply from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders in a contempt case by Sept 7, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The commission also demanded the Sindh and Lahore high courts notices directing it to stay the contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders till further orders.
A four-member bench of the ECP headed by Sindh member Nisar Durrani heard the contempt case against Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday.
The bench also held proceedings on the notices issued to Imran and Fawad for uttering contemptuous remarks against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The PTI lawyers informed the commission that the Sindh and Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, had stopped the ECP from holding further proceedings on the case. They requested the bench to give them time for submitting their reply.
On this, the ECP while demanding the orders of Sindh and Lahore high courts sought written reply from Imran, Asad and Fawad by Sept 7.
The ECP on Aug 20 issued contempt notices to PTI Chairman Imran Khan and two other central leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry for using ‘intemperate’ language against the chief election commissioner and the ECP. The PTI leaders were asked to appear before the commission in person or through their counsels on Aug 30.
Fawad Ch challenges ECP contempt notice
Earlier, Fawad Ch challenged the ECP contempt notice in the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, on Tuesday.
The Rawalpindi bench stayed the ECP from holding further proceedings against Fawad.
Fawad’s counsel Faisal Farid advocate told the LHC bench that according to the constitution, the ECP was not a court and only the higher courts have the jurisdiction to hear contempt of court cases.
He further argued that the special particular rights given in the constitution could not be entrusted to other institutions through simple legislation.
The LHC Rawalpindi bench while issuing a notice to the ECP on Fawad’s petition for Sept 7 stopped it from issuing the final verdict in the case.
Reporters Usman Khan and Saud Butt