Imran Khan tenders apology to ECP in contempt of court cases
ECP after revewing the apology has accepted it in both the cases.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Contempt proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan concluded on Thursday after he submitted written apology in Election Commission in both cases against him.
ECP after revewing both the apologies accepted them. "The matter was much trivial but took 10 months to wrap up," remarked the Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza.
Initially, Khan submitted the apology in only one case but modified his decision later when Chief Election Commissioner warned that action will be taken against the PTI chief if he did not apologize from ECP in second contempt of court case. "What difference does it will make if Imran Khan submit apology in the second case too," said CEC.
Khan’s apperance before the ECP came following his non-bailable warrants issued two weeks back after he continuously failed to appear before the commission on the show-cause notice issued on August 24.
During the hearing, Khan was accompanied by PTI counsel Babar Awan, Secretary General Jahangir Tareen and leaders Shafqat Mehmood and Naeemul Haque.
Babar Awan requested the court to annul proceedings against Imran Khan. Chief Election Commissioner asked whether Khan has apologized from the court. The councel replied that they have submitted reply in the court twice and have also taken back their words.
However; election commissioner directed him to submit a written apology in the court signed by Khan. On the contrary, Akbar S Babar’s lawyer asked the court to conduct proceedings against Khan as per law.
The contempt of court charges against Khan came for “defaming and scandalising” the ECP in the foreign funding case and accusing them of bias.
“I am happy that the contempt proceedings have now ended. Criticism on Election Commission was not personal. Fair elections are the basic need of democracy. My criticism is only for the sake of the betterment of institutions. We want better functioning of ECP like our neighboring country India where free and fair elections are held,” Khan said in his media talk.
