Pak election party issues non-bailable arrest warrant against former PM Imran Khan | World news
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.
The ECP has asked the Islamabad police to arrest and produce him on Tuesday in a contempt case.
On July 11, a four-member ECP bench headed by member Nisar Durrani ordered the issuance of a warrant for Imran’s arrest, after he did not appear before the commission, according to Dawn.
The ECP had initiated defamation cases against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, party leader Asad Umar and Pakistan’s former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry last year for allegedly using “intemperate” language against the election chief and poll watcher.
The ECP has asked them to appear in person or through their counsels before explaining their position. However, the three leaders instead of appearing before the ECP challenged the electoral commission notices and defamation motions in various high courts on the ground that Section 10 of the Election Act 2017, which is a legal provision regarding the commission’s power to punish for defamation, is against the constitution.
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The Electoral Act 2017, Section 10 titled “Power to Punish for Contempt” states that “The Electoral Commission may exercise the same power as the High Court to punish anyone for contempt of court and the Contempt of Court Act, 2003 (V of 2003), or any other law relating to contempt of court shall have effect accordingly.” […]” Dawn reported.
The PTI leaders have requested the high court to grant them categorical relief from the allegations. However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan in January allowed the ECP to continue the cases against Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar, according to Dawn. On May 21, the electoral body decided to press charges against three PTI leaders in July.
During the hearing on July 11, none of the three PTI leaders appeared before the committee despite being summoned. After this, ECP issued arrest warrants for Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry. However, Pakistan’s ruling party accepted a plea by Asad Umar’s lawyer to allow him to leave the hearing.
The ECP on Monday issued a warrant for the arrest of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan and said “it is required in contempt of the commission proceedings initiated in terms of Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017,” according to Dawn. The warrant said that Imran Khan did not appear before the ECP even after notices were issued and bailable warrants for him were issued on January 16 and March 2.
According to Dawn, the commission has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the PTI chairman in exercise of the powers vested in it under Section 4 (2) of the Elections Act, 2017 and other applicable provisions of the Act and Rules.
In the warrant, the ECP said he authorized and requested the Inspector General Islamabad to arrest Imran Khan and produce him before the ECP on July 25 at 10 am (local time).
