Daily Times

The Interior Ministry informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that bringing the imprisoned politician before the electoral authority’s bench is a “security risk” on the eve of the hearing of contempt cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) Chairman Imran Khan.

The Interior Ministry and the Islamabad Capital Territory Police told them about the potential “risks” of bringing the PTI chief before the bench today (October 24), according to the source at the ECP.

“They have informed the commission and explained that it will be risky to ensure the PTI chairman’s presence for the hearing of the ECP bench,” the ECP official said.

The electoral watchdog had to release a charge sheet, so on Thursday, it issued production orders for the deposed prime minister in the contempt cases against him. He was removed from office following a no-confidence motion in April 2022.

Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry, a former senior PTI member, were the subjects of two separate but nearly identical orders issued by a four-member bench led by ECP Member Sindh Nisar Ahmad Durrani.

Today, October 24, will see the indictment of both. But in Chaudhary’s case, the commission also issued arrest warrants that could be served by the IGP.

The PTI leader is currently detained at Adiala jail and facing an Official Secrets Act trial. Due to security concerns, a special court is holding the trial on the jail grounds.