- The police also informed the Election Commission about the threats.
- “He explained that it would be risky to ensure the presence of the PTI chief.”
- Imran Khan is currently imprisoned in Adiala jail.
ISLAMABAD: On the eve of the hearing of contempt cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) Chairman Imran Khan, the Interior Ministry informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the jailed politician will not be allowed by the election authority. To present before the bench of “Security Risk”, news This information was given on Tuesday quoting a source.
According to the ECP source, both the Interior Ministry and the Islamabad Capital Territory Police informed them about the possible “risk” of producing the PTI chief before the bench today (October 24).
“He has informed the commission and explained that it would be risky to ensure the presence of the PTI chairman for the ECP bench hearing,” the ECP official said.
On Thursday, the election watchdog issued production orders for the ousted prime minister – who was removed from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence motion against him – in the contempt cases against him, as it required him to issue a charge sheet. Was.
A four-member bench headed by ECP member Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani had issued two separate but almost identical orders for Imran Khan and former senior PTI member Fawad Chaudhary.
Both are to be arraigned today (October 24). However, in Choudhary’s case, the commission also issued bailable warrants of arrest and directed the concerned IGP to execute them.
The PTI chief is currently lodged in Adiala jail and is being tried under the Official Secrets Act. Due to security threats, a special court is conducting hearings within the jail premises.
ipp symbol
Meanwhile, the Election Commission reserved its decision on a fresh application filed by Istihkaam-e-Pakistan party, seeking to allot ‘Eagle’ as the election symbol.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case while the petitioner’s counsel requested for the desired election symbol.
The Chief Election Commissioner asked about his other election symbol preferences apart from ‘Eagle’, however, the lawyer insisted that the same could be allotted to him.
Later the Election Commission reserved its decision.
The newly formed Istehkaam-e-Pakistan party had applied for the election symbol a few days after the Election Commission canceled the ‘registration’ of the All Pakistan Muslim League and ruled that its election symbol ‘Eagle’ is now available.
In another development, the ECP has ordered the immediate release of Prime Minister’s staff officer Waqar Ali and appointed him as Deputy Commissioner of Sheikhupura.
In this context, the CEC said that written orders should be issued accordingly while closing the case.
A three-member bench headed by CEC Raja heard the case of transfer of Shekhpura Deputy Commissioner. The Secretary Establishment appeared before the ECP and informed the bench that the Punjab Government was asked to appoint the Deputy Commissioner of Sheikhupura and the orders were not withdrawn.
CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja argued that both governments are involved in the issue and commented, “We have a lot of respect for the Prime Minister who has the authority to hire staff”.
The CEC said that the ECP has no objection if the government posts them in Kasur instead of Sheikhupura. Later it asked ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan to issue orders in writing.
