The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a significant step by issuing non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in a contempt case. The warrants were issued in connection to the contempt of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The ECP has directed the police to arrest the PTI chairman and present him before the commission at 10 am tomorrow.
Earlier, the ECP had decided to indict former prime minister and PTI chairman, Fawad Chaudhry, along with Asad Umar, in a case related to their alleged use of “intemperate” language against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral watchdog. The PTI leaders had been critical of the commission and the CEC, going so far as to call the electoral body a “subsidiary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.”
The verdict on the reservations raised by PTI was announced by a four-member commission, led by Sindh member Nisar Durrani, who rejected the PTI’s reservations, noting that the accused had not appeared before the electoral body as required.
Earlier, the ECP had announced its intention to issue bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief and other senior party leaders, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry, for failing to appear before the commission during the contempt proceedings.
This development adds to the ongoing tensions between the PTI and the Election Commission of Pakistan and may have significant implications for the political landscape in the country.