ECP directs PTI leaders to appear in contempt case on Oct 11
September 27, 2022 11:49 AM
Directing former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders namely Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry to appear in person on the next date of hearing of the contempt case, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday adjourned hearing of the case until October 11, 2022, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A four-member bench of the ECP, headed by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani, heard the case.
Faisal Chaudhry Advocate, who represented PTI leaders in the case, told the bench that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had already suspended the show-cause notices issued by the ECP. “It will be better if we wait for the LHC to give its decision in the case,” he added.
Member KP asked him whether his clients were not bound to follow the laws. “Does the maxim of rule of law does not apply to them?” he questioned.
Faisal replied that even the ECP was not exempted from following the laws. “Article V can even apply to you,” PTI’s lawyer said, he said, adding, “All my clients, including Imran, respect the state institutions, including the election commission.”
He argued that the notices issued by the ECP were not constitutional.
Replying to Faisal Advocate’s comments, Member KP reminded him that one of his clients was the former prime minister of Pakistan. “And he is bound to follow the constitutional institutions,” he asserted.
PTI’s lawyer said there were some issues due to which the party did not trust the ECP.
Court exempts Imran from today’s hearing in sedition case:
On the other hand, a district court in Islamabad while exempting the former prime minister from today’s hearing of his pre-arrest bail plea in a sedition case, extended his interim bail until October 13, 2022.
A treason case had been registered against Imran at Kohsar police station of Islamabad.
Reporters: Usman Khan and Ehtesham Kiyani