Pakistan ballot panel orders Imran Khan’s arrest in contempt case

By India Today World Desk: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant in opposition to former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a contempt case. The fee directed the Islamabad Police to arrest and current Khan earlier than it on Tuesday, Dawn reported.

Imran Khan, together with former info minister Fawad Chaudhry and others, was booked for allegedly utilizing ‘intemperate’ language in opposition to the chief election commissioner and the electoral watchdog.

ALSO READ | Economy in drain, Pakistan dropping its mind, at document price

According to the warrant, Imran Khan repeatedly uncared for to look earlier than the ballot panel regardless of being served notices and issued bailable warrants on January 16 and March 2.

The ballot panel has directed the Islamabad Inspector General to arrest Imran Khan and produce him earlier than it on July 25 at 10 am.

The Election Commission initiated contempt proceedings in opposition to the PTI chief and two former occasion leaders final 12 months.

ALSO READ | Imran Khan could also be charged with treason in cypher case: Pakistan Defence Minister

Asad Umar, one of many accused, was excluded from the warrant after his counsel knowledgeable the ECP that his shopper had prior commitments, together with one other courtroom case and a medical appointment, searching for an exemption from showing.

Imran Khan has been grappling with quite a few authorized instances in numerous courts ever since he was ousted from energy in April of the previous 12 months.

The Election Commission had requested their presence both in particular person or by their counsels to elucidate their stance within the matter. Instead of complying with the ballot panel’s request, the three people challenged the ECP notices and contempt proceedings in numerous excessive courts on authorized grounds.

ALSO READ | ‘Imran Khan could be jailed for life ifâ€æ’: Pakistan’s regulation minister

In January, the Supreme Court permitted the ballot panel to proceed with the case in opposition to Imran Khan, Chaudhry, and PTI chief Asad Umar. Subsequently, on June 21, the fee determined to formally cost Imran, Fawad, and Umar in July.

During the listening to on July 11, not one of the three people appeared earlier than the fee, regardless of being summoned. Consequently, the ECP issued arrest warrants for Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry.