• Contempt Case: Pakistan's Election Body Issues Arrest Warrants Against Imran Khan

    International
    Contempt Case: Pakistan's Election Body Issues Arrest Warrants Against Imran Khan

    A four-member ECP bench headed by Nisar Durrani issued arrest warrants against Khan and two of his close associates, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar...


    Digital Desk: Pakistan's top election body on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants for former prime minister Imran Khan and other top leaders of his party in a contempt case. 


    The case is based on allegations made by top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja.


    A four-member ECP bench headed by Nisar Durrani issued arrest warrants against Khan and two of his close associates, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar.


    The election watchdog issued notices against them in August and September of last year in the exercise of its contempt powers after PTI leaders repeatedly criticized the commission and Raja for what they claimed was their partisan policy and alleged favoritism toward the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).


    During the previous hearing, the ECP gave the PTI leaders one last chance to appear before it.


    During the hearing on Tuesday, the commission denied their requests for leave to appear and issued arrest warrants against bail bonds worth Rs 50,000 each.


    The hearing was postponed until January 17 by the bench.


    Khan has asked the ECP chief to resign for allegedly neglecting to act as a neutral election commissioner. The chief rejected the demands, saying he was operating within the confines of the law.