ECP to conduct contempt case hearing against Imran, Fawad in jail

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to hold hearing of contempt case against former prime minister and PTI ex-chairman Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in Adiala Jail.

The ECP pronounced its reserved decision on Wednesday after consulting interior and law ministries.

The ECP will conduct the hearing in Adiala Jail on December 13, saying the indictment proceedings will also take place during trial in prison.

Previously, the caretaker government declined to present Imran Khan before the Election Commission, citing security threats to the incarcerated former prime minister.

The contempt case pertains to allegations of rigging and bias levelled by Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry against the ECP and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

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The ECP had initiated contempt proceedings against the two leaders for violating the code of conduct and undermining the authority of the commission.

The Ministry of Interior had apologised to the ECP for presenting its opinion on the matter without consulting the commission.

The ministry had earlier sought the opinion of the Ministry of Law for the trial of Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry in Adiala Jail, where they are currently detained on corruption charges.

However, the ECP had rejected the ministry’s opinion and reserved its own decision after hearing the arguments of both parties.