ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s response in the contempt of court case against him, giving him another chance to submit a fresh reply next week.
PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry submitted Khan’s response to the ECP bench, prompting the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (Retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza to ask the counsel to review his client’s response.
“The matter of contempt of court is actually a case of misunderstanding,” read Chaudhry.
The CEC responded, “After reviewing the response, it is clear that Imran Khan has taken back the review petition, however, he has yet to apologise.”
“The person who drafted this application has also apologised,” Chaudhry said.
“I don’t think the counsel has even read the application,” replied the CEC Raza.
This prompted Chaudhry to pass a light remark, “You’re giving a lawyer the benefit of the doubt but not Imran Khan.”
“This case was one of misunderstanding and should be forgiven,” added Chaudhry.
“We have forgiven anyone who has sought forgiveness until today,” said the CEC.
“The ECP will announce its decision on the contempt of court case.”
The ECP proceeded towards rejecting Imran Khan’s response and asked him to submit a fresh response once again by June 7.
“Imran Khan can even choose to adjust his submitted response,” the ECP clarified.
Representing PTI, Shahid Gondal requested the ECP to initiate a contempt of court case against Daniyal Aziz.
“We will look into the matter when we will receive your application in front of us,” CEC Raza stated.
Hearing PTI’s party funding case, a five-member ECP bench headed by the CEC, has given the party until June 22 to submit its records to the commission.
Representing PTI, Fawad Chaudhry and Advocate Faisal Chaudhry were present in the Election Commission.
“Our colleague Anwar Mansoor couldn’t make it today as his flight was delayed,” Advocate Faisal Chaudhry told the commission.
Clarifying ECP’s status on the issue, the CEC said, “The Supreme Court asked for records regarding PTI’s funding case, which we have provided.”
“Is it safe to assume that the Supreme Court is in the mood to announce a verdict?” he asked the counsel.
“The Supreme Court is definitely ready to announce a verdict,” Faisal Chaudhry responded.
“Whatever decision the Supreme Court makes is going to be very important,” the CEC said. “We will give PTI some more time to submit more records.”
The ECP postponed the party funding hearing till June 22 after asking the party to submit its records.