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LHC suspends ECP arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry

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  • Court directs ECP to carry on with contempt proceedings.
  • Warns Fawad of action if he targets judiciary once again.
  • Warrants were issued after PTI leaders skipped hearings.

RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench on Monday suspended PTI chief Imran Khan, senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry and party secretary general Asad Umar’s bailable arrest warrants issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The warrants were suspended by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan hearing the PTI leaders’ plea against the arrest warrants. The warrants were issued by ECP’s four-member bench, last week, and were challenged by the PTI leaders today.

Even though the court suspended the warrants, it directed the ECP to carry on with its contempt proceedings against the PTI leaders.

During the hearing, the court remarked “PTI seeks relief from the judiciary but targets them in the media”.

“Targeting the judiciary in the media is contempt of court. If Fawad Chaudhry targets the courts in the media again the contempt of court proceedings will be launched,” warned the court. 

Justice Khan remarked that Fawad during an interview with an international channel laid the blame for corruption on the media. He also told the PTI leader’s lawyer that the court was granting him relief right now but he should tell his client not to lay all the blame on the courts. 

“Enough is enough, the court will no longer show restraint,” remarked Justice Khan. 

Fawad to challenge warrants

Last week, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, immediately after the ECP’s decision, announced he would challenge the warrants in the high court and file a contempt plea against ECP.

“ECP’s decision to issue arrest warrants in contempt of the high court’s decision,” said Fawad. He said that the case was scheduled for January 17 and the verdict was announced today (January 16) in violation of the rules.

The PTI leader alleged that it was a “biased” decision of the ECP.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had also allowed the electoral body to proceed with contempt proceedings against Khan, Umar, and Fawad.

All three PTI leaders did not appear in the last hearing of the case. 

PIT lawyer Ali Bukhari said that Fawad’s mother was seriously ill and he was with her in a hospital in Lahore, while Imran Khan’s doctors had advised him against travelling.

Asad Umar’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor said the PTI secretary general was to attend the hearing but he could not make it to the federal capital. 

Imran, Fawad and Umar were issued contempt notices by the ECP, in August last year, for insulting the commission and its chief, Sikander Sultan Raja, in various public meetings, press conferences and interviews.

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Rana Sana and Saad Rafique offered to join the government, according to sources

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In order to craft a political narrative, Rana Sanaullah reportedly persuaded the PM to let them remain outside the government.

They should write the political narrative while still working for the government, PM Shehbaz Sharif instructed them, according to sources.

“Since you will speak while staying outside the government fold, it will appear that we are against it,” the PM stated.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, according to sources, was also of the opinion that Rana Sanaullah was near to having.

According to their respective opinions, “We have to create a narrative in view of the future, liked by the masses.”

“The Prime Minister stated that Nawaz Sharif will decide on this issue,” according to party insiders.

“If Nawaz Sharif decides to let us join the government, Rana Sanaullah said,” according to sources.

The sources went on to say that Nawaz Sharif will decide on the issue after returning from his current trip to China.

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The Supreme Court has reinstated Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

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The Court also issued an order to re-vote on 12 polling stations in Chaman’s PB-51 seat.

The court returns the case to the election commission with the candidates’ assent and orders the ECP to rule within 10 days of hearing the candidates.

“Under what rule did the ECP order re-polling in 12 polling stations?” Justice Ameenuddin Khan inquired. “The election commission saw 12 polling stations and ignored others,” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stated.

According to Justice Ameenuddin, the election commission did not undertake any inquiries or adhere to any principles.

“Only those polling stations were checked where maximum turnout of votes pointed out in petitions,” claimed the ECP’s DG Law.

Justice Mazhar stated that the ECP should have investigated the entire constituency.

On the request of a rival candidate, Muhammad Asghar Achakzai, the election body ordered re-elections in his constituency.

The case was considered by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ameenuddin Khan.

Re-elections were ordered by the Election Commission at polling stations 56, 57, 61, 62, 79, 89, 90, 91, 95, 106, 129, and 130 in the PB-51 constituency.

In February, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai was chosen Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly without opposition.

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IHC prevents Sher Afzal Marwat of the PTI from being arrested by Punjab police

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According to Marwat Regarding a public meeting in Kasur, he was booked by Punjab police. IHC was approached by the MNA to request protective bail in this case.

PTI chief’s appeal was heard by Justice Tariq Jahangiri. The IHC granted Sher Afzal Marwat protective bail following preliminary arguments in exchange for a $10,000 surety bond.

The relevant court was asked to see him in two months. Following the fall of the PTI administration, Sher Afzal Marwat is dealing with several matters.

The PTI leader’s temporary bail was extended earlier this month by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in a different matter.

Judges Sahibzada Asadullah and Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the case.

Marwat requested the dismissal of the cases against him in his petition, claiming that 23 FIRs had been filed in the province against him for political purposes.

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