ECP orders arrest warrant against Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD (INP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued bailable arrest warrant of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in contempt case.

A five-member bench of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan heard contempt of court case against Imran Khan.

Announcing its verdict reserved earlier in the day, the ECP issued bailable arrest warrant of Imran Khan for not appearing before the ECP in the contempt case despite issuance of show cause notice.

The ECP directed Imran to submit surety bond amounting to rupees one lakh by September 25. The Commission also ordered the PTI chief to produce personal guarantee of two persons.

Earlier, the ECP had reserved its order over his non-appearance in the Commission in the contempt case. The ECP had summoned Imran to appear before it in person by issuing show cause notice. But Imran failed to appear before the commission which angered the bench.

A member of the bench Justice Irshad Qaiser said that show cause notice was issued to Imran Khan and he was asked to appear before the ECP in person.

To which, Imran’s counsel Baber Awan said that Imran Khan was not in the country and he had only returned.

The petitioner Akbar S Baber’s counsel said that PTI was not taking the case seriously. He added that if Imran Khan had returned today then he should have appeared before the bench.

The counsel said that Imran was aware of the show cause notice of ECP and despite that he did not turn up for the hearing.