ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday ordered the Islamabad Police to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and produce him before a five-member bench of the election watchdog on September 25.
The warrant of arrest has been issued owing to Imran’s continued absence from the ECP with regards to a contempt hearing against him.
The warrant is bailable and mentions that Imran may be let go by the police if and when he submits bail of Rs100,000 along with two sureties and vows to continue attending the ECP hearings unless otherwise stated.
According to the ECP’s warrant, addressed to the Islamabad SSP Operations, Imran has been charged with contempt of ECP under Section 103-A of the Representation of People Act, 1976 for failing to appear before the commission despite a show cause notice.
Addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri on Thursday, the PTI chief said the ECP does not have the authority to issue arrest warrants.
“Our case is being heard by Islamabad High Court,” he said.
Khan said ECP has never heard a contempt of court case before his case.
“The ECP is working on behest of the Pakistan Muslim League-N,” he claimed. “Since we filed the Panama Papers case petition, so many cases have been filed against us,” he said.
He said that some cases were even heard by the Supreme Court.
“ECP is only responsible for ensuring that the elections are transparent. If we have to, then we will even go to the SC regarding this ‘biased’ behaviour of the poll body,” he said.
