Former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take meaningful steps to restore its prestige.
Appearing before a four-member ECP bench, led by Sindh member Nisar Ahmed Durrani, in a contempt case against him and PTI founder Imran Khan, he emphasized that respect is earned through actions. He called on the ECP to notify 41 PTI members of the National Assembly.
Fawad’s lawyer advocates for an open trial for Imran in the contempt case.
At the start of the proceedings, Mr. Chaudhry once again apologized to the electoral body and was instructed to submit a written apology.
Fawad was represented by his brother and lawyer Faisal Chaudhry. Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s counsel, Shoaib Shaheen, was unable to attend due to commitments at the high court.
Faisal Chaudhry requested the commission to review the charge against Imran Khan and conduct an open trial for the PTI founder. He cited a recent Islamabad High Court judgment that ruled a contempt trial in jail does not constitute an open trial and violates Article 10-A of the Constitution.
When the bench noted that Imran Khan was not a party in the case, Faisal Chaudhry referred to Articles 4 and 25 of the Constitution and cited the Iqbal Niazi case, where the Supreme Court established that a judgment in one case could be applied to another.
At one point, a bench member reminded Fawad Chaudhry that politicians should not engage in abusive behavior, suggesting he was overly emotional at the time and should apologize.
Mr. Chaudhry’s lawyer clarified that the IHC order pertained to framing charges in jail and suspending the jail trial, urging the commission members to read the order carefully. He requested a postponement of the case pending further action. The ECP adjourned the hearing until September 4.
