In Rawalpindi, the Election Commission of Pakistan has formally charged PTI founder Imran Khan and former federal information minister Fawad Chaudhry in a case regarding contempt of the election commission.
The hearing for the contempt case took place at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.
Representatives from PTI requested a delay in filing the charge sheet, citing the unavailability of Shoaib Shaheen, the head of the legal team, who was engaged in the Supreme Court. They urged against a rushed trial and also appealed to avoid a trial within the confines of a jail. However, both pleas were turned down by the Election Commission.
A four-member bench, presided over by Member Election Commission Nisar Durrani, officially charged Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry. The Election Commission has adjourned further hearings on the case until January 16.
Following the proceedings, Advocate Ali Bukhari, speaking to the media outside the jail, announced plans to challenge the charge sheet and the framed charges in the High Court. PTI lawyer Umeer Niazi expressed confidence that there is nothing in the charges that could be substantiated as contempt.
During the hearing, PTI leader Asghar Chaudhry conveyed Imran Khan’s displeasure at the indictment, accusing the Election Commission members of bias and threatening the application of Article 6 for high treason.
There was a moment of surprise among the commission members during the proceedings.
Fawad Chaudhry, in his defense, highlighted that a reference had been filed against a member of the Election Commission, questioning their eligibility to preside over the hearing despite this conflict. He also noted that Fawad Chaudhry did not respond to an ongoing show cause and was still charged.