Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan and ex-PTI leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry could again not be indicted in the contempt of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and chief election commissioner (CEC) cases on Monday since none of them could appear at the ECP office, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

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

A lawyer representing Asad requested the bench to adjourn hearings of the cases since his client was sick and hence could not show up.  

Counsel for Fawad said that his client was in the Adiala Jail on judicial remand.

Member Durrani remarked that if there were concerns over the security of defendants, the election commission could notify holding the hearing inside the jail.

The interior secretary replied that the ministry had no objection to it.

And when the member asked whether it was permitted under the law, the secretary said that he would seek the Ministry of Law’s opinion on that.

Member ECP said that the election commission was a constitutional institution, and that it had rules of its own. “It is not bound by any law barring the constitution and the Election Act,” he said categorically.

The election commission had summoned Fawad and Asad to appear in person.

The bench then adjourned hearings of the cases until December 6.

Reporter: Usman Khan