Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been restrained by the Lahore High Court (LHC) and Sindh High Court (SHC) from taking actions against the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) whereas ECP has also adjourned the hearing till September 7.
ECP had issued contempt notices to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary General Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry for making allegations against the ECP and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.
PTI leaders had been directed to appear before the ECP in person or through their lawyers on August 31.
Fawad had moved his plea in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench against ECP contempt case.
Fawad Chaudhry’s counsel Advocate Faisal Farid, appeared before the LHC where the matter was heard by Justice Jawad Hassan. Faisal argued that ECP was not a court and therefore was not protected by the contempt of court provisions.
The court issued a notice for September 7 to ECP for its response and restrained the electoral watchdog from issuing a final order.
ECP also held the hearing on the contempt case against PTI leaders. Former prime minister’s lawyer Ali Bukhari presented before the commission. Bukhari maintained that he was unsure why Imran Khan was served notice, requesting time to submit response.
Bukhari also stated before the commission that its order was also challenged in the SHC whereas LHC had barred the ECP from making any decision.
Faisal Chaudhry, PTI’s lawyer, informed that SHC had also restrained the ECP in Asad Umar’s case. He requested time to submit power of attorney letters.
ECP’s spokesperson had said that the notices were issued for using “insulting and unparliamentary remarks” and that it had issued notices after reviewing speeches.
