ECP again defers PTI chief's indictment in contempt case
Pakistan
The PTI chief was not presented to the ECP from Adiala Jail due to security concerns
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday again deferred indictment of the PTI chairman in a case of contempt of ECP and chief election commissioner (CEC) till Dec 6.
Nisar Durrani-led four-member commission conducted hearing of the contempt case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. The PTI chief was not presented to the Election Commission of Pakistan from Adiala Jail due to security concerns.
Fawad Chaudhry's lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and PTI chief and Asad Umar's lawyer Shoaib Shaheen appeared before the commission.
Member Commission Nisar Durrani said the security situation was not appreciable, so they did not want to take risk for the PTI chief to be presented before the commission.
He said one and half years had passed but charges could not be framed against the PTI chief. He further said it was an issue of framing charges, so these could be framed anywhere.
Former PTI leader Asad Umar appeared before the commission and requested it to acquit him in the case. He said he had been attending the commission regularly and had now quit politics. The commission member said they would issue an order in this regard.
Fawad Chaudhry's lawyer requested the commission to issue production order for his client. He said there was no security issue for his client.
Also Read: PTI chairman's bail extended till Dec 6 in Toshakhana case
A day earlier, an accountability court had extended bail of the PTI chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi till Dec 6 in Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases. Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the pleas in the Adial Jail where the PTI chief and Bushra Bibi were present.
NAB prosecutor Muzzafar Abbasi and PTI chief’s counsel Latif Khosa appeared before the court. The PTI chief was convicted on Aug 5 in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for hiding the proceeds from the sale of gifts he received from the Toshakhana at cheaper rates. He was arrested the same day and incarcerated.
