The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially declared its intent to conduct contempt case proceedings against the former prime minister and founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at Adiala Jail, citing security concerns. The ex-prime minister is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in connection with a cipher case.
In August of the preceding year, the ECP had served notices to the former prime minister, Chaudhry, and others, accusing them of employing “intemperate” language against Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral body.
In a detailed five-page verdict, the ECP highlighted that the interior ministry had declined to present the former prime minister before the commission at Adiala Jail, citing security apprehensions.
The Ministry of Law and Justice, in its assessment, recommended the ECP conduct the case hearing at Adiala Jail, as indicated in the verdict. The contempt case initiated by the ECP has been in progress since 2022, during which the PTI sought numerous adjournments, and the party’s founder failed to appear despite warrants and summonses.
A bench comprising four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan is scheduled to oversee the contempt case against the PTI founder on December 13. The commission has reiterated that continuing the proceedings at Adiala Jail is the only viable option left.
During the previous hearing on October 24, the interior ministry and Islamabad police informed the ECP that producing the former premier for the proceedings would pose a security risk. The ministry issued an apology to the commission for this inconvenience.
