ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has given a last chance to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to appear before the bench hearing contempt of court charges against them on April 18.
The Election Commission on Tuesday heard the contempt of court case involving several leaders including PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry and Secretary General Asad Umar.
A three-member ECP bench headed by Sindh member Nisar Durrani awaited the appearance of the PTI leaders before adjourning the hearing till April 18 due to their non-appearance.
Faisal Chaudhry, who represented both Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry during the hearing, challenged the ECP’s order directing Imran Khan to appear in person by filing an adjournment application. He requested that until the Lahore High Court (LHC) pronounces its decision, this order should be declared null and void. However, the ECP bench rejected the plea, insisting that the PTI leaders needed to present their arguments on that day.
Anwar Mansoor, representing Asad Umar, argued that his client could not appear before the ECP as he had to face the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in connection with “150 cases filed against PTI leaders”. I had to be present. He added that it was a challenge for him to appear in all the courts at once. In response, Durrani acknowledged the points raised in the petition, but said they had to be decided.
On the other hand, another member of the ECP bench, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, warned that charges would be filed against PTI leaders if they did not appear before the commission. The hearing was adjourned till the next date, with the expectation that PTI leaders would appear before the ECP and give their arguments.
