ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday stayed the proceedings of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan for addressing rallies in various constituencies during by-election campaigns.

IHC Justice Aamer Farooq heard Mr Khan’s petition filed against the ECP’s notices issued to him for alleged violation of code of conduct. He issued a notice to the attorney general of Pakistan for May 15 and adjourned the hearing.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan challenged the noticed issued against him by the district election commissioners and the ECP, which banned lawmakers and party heads from visiting the constituencies during by-election campaigns.

His petition had named the chairman and the director general (elections) of the ECP as respondents.

The ECP had via a notification on April 16, 2015 restricted the president, prime minister, chief ministers, state ministers, governors and advisers from visiting any constituencies or give any subscriptions or donations in constituencies. MNAs and MPAs were also restricted later.

Mr Khan’s counsel, Dr Babar Awan argued that as PTI chairman, the petitioner led different movements of the by-elections and other polls related activities throughout the country, which is a right guaranteed by Article 16 of Constitution for peaceful assembly.

Dr Awan requested the court to declare such notifications as well as the proceedings initiated against Imran Khan because of these notifications as illegal.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2017