Producing Imran before ECP risky: interior ministry

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has informed the Election Commission of Pakistan on the eve of the hearing of the contempt cases against jailed PTI Chairman Imran Khan that producing him before the ECP bench is a ‘security risk’.

A source at the Election Commission claimed that the Ministry of Interior as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory Police formally informed the electoral body with reference to the ‘risks’, involved if the PTI chairman is produced before the commission bench on October 24. “They have informed the commission and explained that it will be risky to ensure the PTI chairman’s presence for the hearing of the ECP bench,” the official explained.

The Election Commission on Thursday last issued production orders for producing PTI Chairman and ex-premier in cases of contempt of the commission, as a charge sheet was to be issued against him. A four-member bench, headed by ECP Member Sindh Nisar Ahmad Durrani, had released two separate but almost identical orders for Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry, a former senior member of the PTI. Both are to be indicted on October 24. However, in the case of Fawad Chaudhary, the commission also issued bailable warrants of arrest and directed the relevant IGP to serve them.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission reserved its verdict on a fresh application filed by the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, seeking allotment of ‘eagle’ as the electoral symbol. A three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case, while the petitioner’s lawyer requested the desired election symbol. The Chief Election Commissioner asked about their symbol preferences other than ‘eagle’, however, the lawyer insisted that they might be allotted the same. Later, the Election Commission reserved its decision. The newly-formed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party had applied for the symbol a few days back, after the Election Commission had cancelled the ‘registration’ of the All Pakistan Muslim League and ruled that its election symbol ‘Eagle’ was now available.

In another development, the Election Commission has ordered the immediate release of the staff officer to prime minister, Waqar Ali and that he be appointed deputy commissioner Sheikhupura. In this context, the Chief Election Commissioner said that written orders should be issued accordingly while winding up the case. A three-member bench, which was headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard the case of the transfer of Deputy Commissioner Sheikhupura. Secretary Establishment appeared before the Election Commission and informed the bench that the Punjab government had been asked to appoint Deputy Commissioner Sheikhupura and the orders were not withdrawn. The Chief Election Commissioner contended that both governments are involved in this issue and remarked, “we have great respect for the prime minister who has the right to have a staff”. The CEC said the ECP had no objection if the government posted him in Kasur instead of Sheikhupura. Later it asked the ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan to issue orders in writing.