Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Contempt proceedings were postponed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief on Tuesday as he appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
A four-member bench headed by Sindh member Nisar Ahmed Durrani and including Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Ikramullah Khan has decided to frame charges against the PTI chairman in the next hearing on August 2.
Last year, the commission had initiated contempt proceedings against Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar, the former PTI senior vice president and party secretary general, for repeatedly making statements against the ECP and its chief election commissioner (CEC).
Earlier this year, the ECP had ordered Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, and Asad Umar to ensure their presence at the next hearing. However, during the July 11 hearing, Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry had been absent, after which the bench had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against them.
Last week, former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry issued a verbal apology to the commission and provided assurances that he would submit a written apology as well. He also stressed that his statements had been in accordance with PTI policies rather than a reflection of his personal stance.
Meanwhile, the ECP has decided to formally frame charges against the PTI chief for his remarks against the electoral watchdog.
During the hearing today, Durrani had initially said that charges were to be framed against the former prime minister. However, Imran’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen had implored the commission to first decide on the objections he had raised.
“I have been appointed the PTI chairman’s lawyer since the last hearing, I should be given an opportunity to read the case files,” he said.
Later, Durrani said that the charges would be framed against the accused on August 2 and ordered him to ensure his presence for the hearing, before adjourning the proceedings.