Politics

ECP warns PTI leaders of ex parte action if they skip next hearing

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Trio of PTI leaders misses ECP hearing once again.
ECP issued contempt notices to Imran, others.
Next hearing scheduled for January 24.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday strictly warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders of ex parte proceedings if they failed to appear in another hearing of the contempt case.

The ECP is hearing the case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary General Asad Umar and Senior Vice-President Fawad Chaudhry.

The electoral body had also issued bailable arrest warrants — for the three leaders — which were suspended by the Lahore High Court on Monday.

At the outset of Tuesday’s hearing, ECP’s Balochistan member questioned, “Where are Imran Khan, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhary?”

At this, Advocate Faisal Chaudhry’s assistant told the ECP panel that the PTI leaders and their counsel could not make it to the hearing because they had to attend former president Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Latif Afridi’s funeral in Peshawar.

The electoral body’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa member said the high court had suspended their arrest warrants but did not exempt them from attending the proceedings, adding that they did not file an exemption request either.

ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani said that the ECP will hold ex parte proceedings and announce the verdict if the PTI leaders skip the next hearing.

The ECP panel adjourned the hearing until January 24.

In August last year, the ECP issued a contempt notice to the PTI leaders for insulting the commission and its chief during public meetings, press conferences, and interviews.

LHC suspends ECP’s arrest warrants

On Monday, the LHC Rawalpindi Bench suspended the PTI leaders’ bailable arrest warrants issued by the ECP.

Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan of the LHC suspended the warrants issued by ECP’s four-member bench last week.

Even though the court suspended the warrants, it directed the ECP to carry on with its contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders.

Last week, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, immediately after the ECP’s decision, announced he would challenge the warrants in the high court and file a contempt plea against ECP.

Court warns PTI against targetting judiciary

During the hearing, the court remarked “PTI seeks relief from the judiciary but targets them in the media”.

“Targeting the judiciary in the media is contempt of court. If Fawad Chaudhry targets the courts in the media again, contempt of court proceedings will be launched,” warned the court.

Justice Khan remarked that Fawad during an interview with an international channel laid the blame for corruption on the judiciary. He also told the PTI leader’s lawyer that the court was granting him relief right now but he should tell his client to refrain from making contemptuous remarks against the courts.

“Enough is enough, the court will no longer show restraint,” remarked Justice Khan.

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Rana Sana and Saad Rafique offered to join the government, according to sources

Published

5 hours ago

Farwa

In order to craft a political narrative, Rana Sanaullah reportedly persuaded the PM to let them remain outside the government.

They should write the political narrative while still working for the government, PM Shehbaz Sharif instructed them, according to sources.

“Since you will speak while staying outside the government fold, it will appear that we are against it,” the PM stated.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, according to sources, was also of the opinion that Rana Sanaullah was near to having.

According to their respective opinions, “We have to create a narrative in view of the future, liked by the masses.”

“The Prime Minister stated that Nawaz Sharif will decide on this issue,” according to party insiders.

“If Nawaz Sharif decides to let us join the government, Rana Sanaullah said,” according to sources.

The sources went on to say that Nawaz Sharif will decide on the issue after returning from his current trip to China.

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The Supreme Court has reinstated Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

Published

6 hours ago

Farwa

The Court also issued an order to re-vote on 12 polling stations in Chaman’s PB-51 seat.

The court returns the case to the election commission with the candidates’ assent and orders the ECP to rule within 10 days of hearing the candidates.

“Under what rule did the ECP order re-polling in 12 polling stations?” Justice Ameenuddin Khan inquired. “The election commission saw 12 polling stations and ignored others,” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stated.

According to Justice Ameenuddin, the election commission did not undertake any inquiries or adhere to any principles.

“Only those polling stations were checked where maximum turnout of votes pointed out in petitions,” claimed the ECP’s DG Law.

Justice Mazhar stated that the ECP should have investigated the entire constituency.

On the request of a rival candidate, Muhammad Asghar Achakzai, the election body ordered re-elections in his constituency.

The case was considered by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ameenuddin Khan.

Re-elections were ordered by the Election Commission at polling stations 56, 57, 61, 62, 79, 89, 90, 91, 95, 106, 129, and 130 in the PB-51 constituency.

In February, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai was chosen Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly without opposition.

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IHC prevents Sher Afzal Marwat of the PTI from being arrested by Punjab police

Published

6 hours ago

Farwa

According to Marwat Regarding a public meeting in Kasur, he was booked by Punjab police. IHC was approached by the MNA to request protective bail in this case.

PTI chief’s appeal was heard by Justice Tariq Jahangiri. The IHC granted Sher Afzal Marwat protective bail following preliminary arguments in exchange for a $10,000 surety bond.

The relevant court was asked to see him in two months. Following the fall of the PTI administration, Sher Afzal Marwat is dealing with several matters.

The PTI leader’s temporary bail was extended earlier this month by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in a different matter.

Judges Sahibzada Asadullah and Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the case.

Marwat requested the dismissal of the cases against him in his petition, claiming that 23 FIRs had been filed in the province against him for political purposes.