An associate lawyer representing Fawad appeared before the bench and requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the hearing of the case. On Thursday, the ECP issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case. The ECP’s five-member bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, initiated contempt proceedings against the former federal information minister for using inappropriate and disrespectful language, as well as making contemptuous remarks against the Election Commission during a media talk on January 24.
The lawyer representing Fawad informed the bench that the case was already being heard in the Islamabad High Court, where the ECP lawyer was scheduled to present arguments on the same day. The High Court was expected to reach a decision on the case in the coming days.
During the proceedings, an Islamabad police official informed the bench that when the police went to execute the warrant at Fawad’s residence, his brother Faisal Chaudhry informed them that the former minister was not at home.
The bench asked the defendant’s lawyer whether Fawad would appear before the ECP. It was noted that Fawad had neither appeared before the ECP nor submitted a petition seeking exemption from appearing before the bench.
The bench rejected the lawyer’s request and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Fawad Chaudhry. Subsequently, the commission adjourned the hearing until July 20.
In a separate development, the elections for the positions of chairman and vice-chairman of district councils in Balochistan were conducted peacefully, ensuring transparent completion of this phase of the election process.
