The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned the interior secretary for being unable to produce PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the case of defamation of the ECP. The commission was hearing a defamation case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. A four-member commission headed by Nisar Durrani adjourned the hearing till November 13. Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar appeared before the commission, while Imran Khan was not brought to the election commission from Adiala Jail. PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said the real insult to the election commission has taken place. The operations assistant inspector general of police (AIG) submitted a report regarding the appearance of Imran Khan. It said Rawalpindi was a densely populated area, which is not without dangers. PTI Chairman Imran Khan has himself said there are threats to his life, the report stated.

The ECP’s member from Sindh, Nisar Durrani, asked the AIG if he believed whatever Imran Khan said was true. The Interior Ministry suggested the election commission go to Adiala Jail to conduct the hearing. The commission asked the ministry to get it in writing from Imran Khan that he was sorry. “If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections?” the commission questioned. “How can the ministry order the commission? The interior secretary should appear himself,” the ECP ordered. The hearing of the contempt of election commission case was adjourned till November 13.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)