ECP to convene contempt hearing against PTI chief

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has slated a hearing for the contempt case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, on November 13. This case revolves around accusations of contempt toward the ECP and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), with summoning notices formally issued to the PTI chairman.

The upcoming proceedings will also encompass cases involving former ministers Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry, both scheduled for November 13.

Earlier, the caretaker government refrained from presenting PTO chief before the ECP, citing security threats surrounding the incarcerated former prime minister. While Umar and Chaudhry were physically present, PTI chief was represented by his counsel, Shoaib Shaheen.

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During the hearing, the Punjab Police conveyed security threats that hindered bringing PTI chairman from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for the cipher case. ECP members expressed dissatisfaction with the response, questioning the assurance provided by the police officer. They raised concerns about the ability of security agencies to ensure safety during the upcoming general elections if they couldn’t provide adequate security for one individual.

In light of the security challenges, a senior police official proposed conducting the hearing within Adiala Jail. However, the ECP deemed this impractical and decided to summon Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani. Consequently, the hearing was adjourned until November 13.

PTI chief was arrested in August on charges related to violating the Official Secrets Act, faces allegations of disclosing a secret diplomatic cable (cipher) from the country’s embassy in Washington. Additionally, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed his intra-court appeal against his jail trial in the cipher case, arguing that the federal government lacked the authority to issue a notification for the prison trial.