ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday again deferred the indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in the contempt case, with the former prime minister now expected to be charged at the next hearing on 22 August.
The electoral watchdog had started contempt proceedings against Imran Khan, PTI leader Asad Umar and ex-information minister Fawad Chaudhry in 2022 for allegedly using “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and the electoral body.
However, instead of appearing before the ECP, they challenged notices and contempt proceedings in different high courts on the grounds that Section X of the Elections Act 2017 was against the Constitution. They had also requested from the courts a declaratory relief from the charges.
But in January, the apex court had allowed the electoral watchdog to continue proceedings against PTI chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar, and on 21 June, the election commission decided to frame charges against them.
In July, they did not appear before the election commission despite being summoned, following which the commission issued arrest warrants for Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry. It had, however, accepted a plea by Asad Umar’s counsel to allow him an exemption from the hearing.
Subsequently, the election commission issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran on 24 July and asked the Islamabad police chief to arrest and present him before the electoral body.
The very next day, Imran Khan appeared before the commission for the first time since August 2022 when the case was lodged. As he appeared before the four-member bench, the non-bailable arrest warrants against him were suspended.
Nisar Durrani, the ECP member from Sindh, had put off the indictment till 2 August after Shoaib Shaheen, representing the PTI chief, requested an adjournment till September.
Imran Khan Skips Hearing
PTI chief did not appear in today’s hearing, while Shoaib Shaheen submitted an application requesting exemption from personal appearance on his behalf.
The lawyer told the commission that his client was undergoing a medical check-up in the hospital. He added that his client Imran Khan was appearing before the courts on a daily basis.
At this, the commission’s member Justice (R) Ikramullah Khan pointed out that PTI chairman was supposed to be indicted during today’s hearing. He asked how can the bench accept a plea seeking exemption from personal appearance for Imran Khan.
The lawyer replied that the charges against the PTI chief had not yet been proven. He also urged the commission to adjourn the hearing.
Shoaib Shaheen said that he had not yet been given the case record. The hearing was subsequently adjourned till 22 August.
