AZHAR THARAJ

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has been arrested for criticising the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). What is the difference between criticism and behaving with contempt?

When PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry was produced in the court, he stood by his statement and told the media, "I have been made a case of contempt of the Election Commission, it has been their attitude; do not criticize. Rebellion has become obligatory in this country, 220 million people should come out and revolt against this system. Handcuffs are our jewel, Imran Khan and PTI are standing with the people, come out to change the system and contribute to the rebellion."

https://twitter.com/24NewsHD/status/1618183544974757889

Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry criticized the Election Commission, the Chief Election Commissioner in his statements, saying the Chief Election Commissioner is called on phoned and then he signed like a clerk. If you are so weak, then sit at houses, threatening the Chief Election Commissioner that those who are being installed in the caretaker government are temporary. Rule does not stay forever. We won't give up chasing you until you are really punished. The Election Commissioner, members of the Election Commission, their families are warned that if there is a series of abuses against us, then you will be repaid in the same coin.

Speaking in a TV programme, Fawad had said that the entire process of the caretaker setup had become controversial, on January 22. In another TV programme, he had said that an institution which has no status, the chair for the Chief Election Commissioner has come down, he has not come up, unfortunately his attitude has not been right.

Fawad Chaudhry did not criticize any single person or institution, his tone and style clearly showed that he was threatening the Election Commission, inciting people to revolt. It is everyone's right to criticize the decisions of the Election Commissioner, but it is not to challenge or threaten it. The Election Commission is a constitutional body, challenging or threatening the institution is to challenge the Constitution. It is not an insult to any person but to the Constitution, insulting the Constitution is a cognizable offence.

When the PTI was in the government, his stance was different as he kept talking about punishing rivals himself. When PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi had criticized the judiciary, Fawad Chaudhry had tweeted that it was necessary to punish people like Nehal Hashmi. He had said that Nehal Hashmi threatened the whole system, appealed to the Supreme Court to impose contempt of court on him.

Not only Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari also said echoed him. Shireen Mazari had called Nehal Hashmi's criticism a threat to the court and the IJT.

It can be well guessed that the words of PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry are an open threat, open rebellion. At this time the Election Commission has to hold elections on the vacant seats of the provincial assemblies and the National Assembly. If this trend continues, neither the elections will be held on time nor will there be stability in the country.