The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday issued contempt notices to PTI leaders Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar for levelling allegations at the electoral body and Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja.
The electoral body directed the opposition leaders to appear before it in person or submit their response through their lawyers on August 31.
The ECP spokesperson said in a statement that notices were issued to the PTI chief Imran Khan for using “insulting and unparliamentary remarks” against the electoral body in various speeches.
The commission said it issued notices after reviewing speeches of the PTI leaders which was provided by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority on the electoral body’s request. The ECP has sought clarification from the PTI leaders on allegations hurled against it.
Imran, the former premier, has time and again accused the ECP and it chief of being biased and demanded CEC Raja to step down. Imran also accused the ECP chief of siding with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N against the PTI.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency decided on Friday to again send notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan and secretary general Asad Umar in the party’s prohibited funding case. FIA sources have said that non-cooperation after three notices will lead to the agency issuing arrest warrants for the party leaders.
The FIA probe reportedly progressed after five more foreign companies allegedly funding the former ruling party had been identified, none of which were mentioned in the reports submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan or the Federal Board of Revenue.
These companies emerged in the US, England, Australia, Belgium and Canada; some had shut down business while some others remained active. The FIA has sought the audit reports of the closed companies.
