ECP issues non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief in contempt case
Pakistan
Commission to hear plea on Tuesday
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday evening issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief, IPP leader Fawad Chaudhry, and former PTI secretary general Asad Umar.
A four-member ECP bench, headed by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani heard the ECP contempt plea against PTI chief, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar. However, lawyers representing them did not appear before the ECP.
Umar’s assistant lawyer requested the commission to exempt him from appearing because Umar had cases against him, adding that he had got an appointment from doctor. “Umar kept on presenting before the ECP,” he added.
Member ECP ordered him to file the plea.
Chaudhry’s assistant lawyer told the ECP that Chaudhry was in Lahore while his lawyer Faisal Chaudhry was in the IHC.
The capital police have been directed to arrest the PTI chief and present him at 10am before the electoral watchdog. The ECP will hear the plea tomorrow (Tuesday).
Lawyer murder case
Earlier, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court on Monday barred the law-enforcement agencies from arresting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief till next date of hearing on Aug 9 in lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case.
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Yahya Afridi, also comprises Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi.
The PTI chairman was also present in court at the time of hearing. Lawyer of the petitioner did not attend court. The Advocate General Balochistan sought court order for the PTI chairman to join the investigation process and report to the investigation officer.
The Supreme Court adjourned hearing of the case till Aug 9 asking the PTI chief to attend the court on next hearing date.
The IGP Balochistan submitted the investigation report to the Supreme Court in lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case. The report said the victim was being threatened over a petition filed in the apex court on Article 6.
In the report submitted by the IGP, the apex court was told that during the investigation, a seven-member JIT was formed by the Ministry of Interior under the chairmanship of CTD DIG on June 8, which has held eight meetings.
The report stated that it was decided to call the suspects in the first meeting of the JIT. Summons were sent to the PTI chairman on June 19.
Despite several notices, the PTI chairman did not join the investigation. It was decided to include four suspects including the PTI chairman in the investigation.
According to the report, statements of the deceased's wife and two brothers had also been recorded.
