ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has adjourned hearing of a contempt of court petition against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan until July 25. Khan’s counsel Dr Babar Awan will submit a reply on petitioner Akbar S Babar’s arguments on the next hearing. On Wednesday, the petitioner’s counsel requested that contempt of court proceedings should be started against the PTI chief on his persistent defiance of ECP’s orders. “The ECP enjoys powers of the High Court. It has the authority to start contempt of court proceedings in the matter against Imran Khan,” the counsel argued. He said Khan’s persistent defiance of ECP directives was tantamount to obstruction of justice. “He must be punished and fined,” he said. Petitioner Akbar Babar, a former member of the PTI, had submitted that Khan committed contempt of court in his comments on the party’s funds. He said that the PTI had not apologised to the ECP on his own. Instead, he added, he had submitted an apology through his counsel.
Published in Daily Times, July 20th , 2017.
