Imran, Fawad not produced before ECP bench in contempt cases

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan and former PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry were not produced before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday in the contempt case.

A four-member bench, headed by the Sindh Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani, heard the contempt cases.

Alleged contemner Asad Umar and lawyers Shoaib Shaheen and Faisal Chaudhry appeared before the forum on behalf of Imran and Fawad respectively.

The bench has been listing the cases to charge-sheet the three alleged contemners of the Election Commission as well as the chief election commissioner for weeks. However, the presence of Imran and Fawad could not be ensured.

Last year in August, the Election Commission issued contempt notices to Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar for using intemperate language and contemptuous remarks against the commission. Two separate similar notices were issued to Imran and Fawad on the same charges.

Imran’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen requested for providing him with a copy of the interior ministry’s report, concerning his client’s security and contended that the impression about the case will not go well. Nisar Durrani directed to provide a copy of the report and told the lawyer, “Leave aside the impression, we will work according to the law. You want to pursue the case but do not cooperate (in the case)”. The lawyer also charged that his client was deliberately not being produced before the bench. The Member Election Commission (Balochistan) Shah Mohammad Jatoi remarked, “Earlier you were also not presenting (him) intentionally. The question is why should we take the risk of presenting him here?

Faisal Chaudhry, representing Fawad Chaudhry, informed the forum that Fawad was in the Adiala Jail and he was also not being presented before ECP. PTI former secretary general Asad Umar told the bench that he had appeared in the Election Commission most of the time and had abandoned politics. He also submitted his reply in writing to the bench. The bench said an order would also be issued in relation to his status. The hearing was adjourned till December 6.