- Commission says hearing to be held on Dec 13, saying indictment proceedings to take place during trial in prison
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday decided to hold proceedings of contempt case against former prime minister Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in Adiala Jail on December 13.
The ECP pronounced its reserved decision on Wednesday after consulting the Law Ministry and in light of the Interior Ministry’s denial to produce the former premier before the commission during the last hearing, citing security concerns.
Subsequently on Nov 30, the ECP had reserved a verdict and suggested the possibility of holding Imran’s trial in Rawalpindi jail.
The ECP will conduct the hearing in Adiala Jail on December 13, saying the indictment proceedings will also take place during trial in prison.
It also directed the ministry to complete all necessary legal requirements for the proceedings within two days.
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).
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 apologized 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.
In the last hearing, ECP member from Sindh Nasir Durrani had told Imran’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen that the interior ministry had submitted a report that said that Imran could not be presented and proposed that the commission send a team to jail to indict him.
Imran’s lawyer had also expressed concern, stating that the jail trial of a leader of a top political party would send a wrong message.
Asad Umar had also made an appearance before the ECP in the same case in the last hearing. The electoral watchdog had questioned Umar about his repeated failure to appear before the commission.
“I have appeared before the ECP the most,” Umar had responded, adding that he had also quit politics. In response, one of the ECP members stated, “You can continue politics.”
Umar had also submitted his written response to the ECP.
