Pakistan: Imran Khan Gets Contempt Notices By Poll Body For Remarks Against Watchdog

Imran Khan slammed the CEC Sikander Sultan Raja for playing into the hands of the ruling government and giving the judgment against his political party PTI in the foreign funding case

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who has been slamming the authorities, institutions and political rivals for being part of an international conspiracy led by the United States to remove his government, has been summoned contempt notices by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for leveling allegations at the electoral body and its Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), terming the allegation as “insulting and unparliamentary”.

Imran Khan and other party leaders of political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been issued notices, directing them to submit their response in person or through their lawyers by 31 August 2022.

“Notices were issued to the PTI Chief for using insulting and unparliamentary remarks against the electoral body in various public speeches”, said spokesperson of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The contempt notices by ECP to Imran Khan and top PTI leaders comes in the wake of serious allegations of corruption, mismanagement and deliberate inclination towards the ruling party in giving decisions against Imran Khan and his political party, leveled in public gatherings of PTI.

The ECP contempt notice is yet another sign of the legal battles Imran Khan will have with the electoral body.

It is pertinent to mention here that Imran Khan slammed the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja for playing into the hands of the ruling government and giving the judgment against Imran Khan and his political party PTI in the foreign funding case, which found Imran Khan’s declaration as false. Many irregularities were also found in foreign funding to PTI. 

The legal challenges for Imran Khan are of serious nature as the ruling government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is looking towards ensuring that Imran Khan is disqualified in relation to the foreign funding issue. 

ECP’s latest notice of contempt to Imran Khan has been issued after reviewing the speeches delivered by the PTI leaders and Imran Khan, which were provide by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on request by ECP.

“Imran Khan used insulting and indecent language against the CEC in his rallies on July 12, 18, 21 & 27, and August 4 & 8. He instigated the public against the CEC by using contemptuous language which was an attempt to prejudice the process of forthcoming elections which constitute a clear contempt of the commission”, said spokesperson ECP.