ISLAMABAD: A District and Sessions Court of the federal capital has adjourned till July 7 the indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s former senior vice-president Fawad Chaudhry in the case of threatening Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials.
Fawad, a former close aide of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, was scheduled to be charged today in a case related to his threatening remarks against ECP officials, but he failed to appear in court.
Instead, his lawyer filed a motion to waive the hearing.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra asked the reason why the politicians did not appear in the court despite the order to ensure their attendance.
On this, Fawad’s lawyer said that his health is not good.
The judge said Fawad could take a long leave after the charges were filed. Both you and Fawad take care of your health.
After which the distinguished judge granted the immunity request and directed Fawad to appear at the next hearing on July 7.
The former PTI leader has been embroiled in various cases, including a sedition case, for publicly “threatening” members of the electoral body during a media talk outside the former prime minister’s Lahore residence in January.
He was arrested in Lahore on January 25, the same day he made these remarks, but was released on bail on February 1.
The Case
Islamabad Police registered a case against Fawad in Kohsar police station of the federal capital on the complaint of Secretary ECP Umar Hamid Khan.
He has been booked under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between groups), 506 (criminal intimidation), 505 (statements inciting public riot) and K for using threatening language against the ECP and its members. A First Information Report (FIR) was filed under Section 124-A (treason) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
In his speech outside Khan’s residence in Lahore, Fawad warned the ECP, its members and their families, according to the FIR.
The FIR said that Fawad had said that the Election Commission had been demoted to the rank of “minshi [clerk]”.
Fawad said that those who are part of the caretaker government will be pursued until they are punished. He had said that the people sitting in the government will be chased to their homes.
