Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has rejected the objection of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding contempt proceedings and has allowed the continuation of the contempt proceedings of the Commission against PTI leaders Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court disposed of the petitions against the PTI leadership of the Election Commission.
Election Commission of Pakistan not restrained from final decision
The court declared that according to the Election Commission, they have been restrained by the Lahore High Court from issuing an order against the PTI leadership. The Lahore High Court has restrained the insult from the action of the Election Commission and not from the final decision.
The Supreme Court declared that according to the law, the proceedings of the contempt Election Commission will continue. A decision should be taken on the objections of the PTI leadership before issuing the show-cause notice.
The Supreme Court also directed the High Courts to take an early decision on PTI’s pleas against the contempt Election Commission.
ECP issued notices over abusive language
During August and September, the Election Commission issued contempt notices to PTI chief Imran Khan and party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry for using abusive language against the constitutional institution.
Instead of appearing before the Election Commission, the PTI leaders challenged the notices and contempt proceedings in various High Courts of the country.
In the Supreme Court, the PTI leaders took the position that Section 10 of the Election Act, 2017, which deals with the power to punish the Election Commission for contempt, is unconstitutional.
