ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief Imran Khan and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry over cases regarding contempt of the commission and the chief election commissioner, on Tuesday.

A four-member bench of the commission passed the order for the alleged use of intemperate language against the ECP and the chief election commissioner during media talks and interviews.

The commission had issued notices to Mr Khan, Mr Chaudhry, and Asad Umar, former secretary general of PTI, last year in August, but they challenged them as well as the contempt proceedings, contending the electoral body was not a high court.

During the hearing, the three leaders did not appear before the commission. Junior counsel Umaima Mansoor appearing before the bench on behalf of Mr Umar sought an adjournment saying that Advocate Anwar Mansoor was on medical leave and the accused was also occupied with medical check-ups. The bench accepted the request and directed her to submit an application and make sure that he would attend the proceedings next time.

Similarly, the assistant counsel for Mr Chaudhry, who has parted ways with PTI after May 9 incidents, said he was in Lahore while his counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, was at the Islamabad High Court, appearing in a case.

The hearing was adjourned till July 25.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2023