ECP rejects Imran,s objections, rules it has jurisdiction to initiate contempt of court proceedings

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced that it was within its jurisdiction to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
A five-member tribunal of the ECP hearing the petition filed by Akbar S Babar, that seeks Khan’s disqualification, rejected the PTI chief’s objections regarding its jurisdiction to initiate contempt of court proceedings.
On July 10, the PTI chief had submitted a reply before the tribunal of the ECP, saying that the commission cannot initiate contempt of court proceedings against an individual as that right lies only with the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
The same was argued before the commission by Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Babar Awan. “If the ECP is equal to a high court, will a full-bench conduct proceedings every day?” Awan had asked, arguing that the Constitution gives the ECP a different status from that enjoyed by the high courts. “If a full bench of the ECP gives a verdict, where will I file my appeal?”
The tribunal had reserved its judgement on the matter after Awan’s statements.
In light of Thursday’s ruling, the tribunal will continue to hear the petition against Khan.
The ECP has also issued Khan a show-cause notice and asked him to submit a reply by August 23.
Ends/Online/TR/FF
—