The caretaker administration on Tuesday declined to bring former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), citing security concerns.
When the Punjab Police raised concerns about Imran’s safety, the ECP questioned whether or not it would be possible to hold impending general elections if the Ministry of the Interior could not guarantee the safety of even one individual. Aftab Akbar Durrani, the federal interior secretary, was subsequently called before the commission.
Contempt charges against PTI leaders Imran, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry were being heard by the panel. Shoaib Shaheen, Fawad, and Asad, Imran’s legal representation, were all present at the hearing.
Attorney for Imran stated the ECP was ‘insulted’ by the government’s decision not to bring his client.
The AIG of Punjab Police operations reported threats against Imran on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior. To paraphrase, “he has himself expressed it,” he said. The ECP members questioned, “Are you sure he is right?”
Since Rawalpindi is so crowded and dangerous, the senior police official suggested having the ECP hearing take place in Adiala prison.
To hold a hearing in Adiala under your direction? How dare you!” If the Ministry of the Interior can’t guarantee the safety of a single voter, how can we have elections? The ECP declared.
The Interior Secretary has been called in for a hearing that ECP has postponed till November 13. The PTI chairman had already been given today’s production orders by the ECP.
