Initiating contempt proceedings against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a show cause notice to him on Thursday. Khan has been summoned on September 14 to explain why the ECP should not initiate contempt proceedings against him.
The notification says that instead of submitting a reply to a petition filed by Akbar Sher Babar in ECP, Khan had submitted a review application containing "derogatory remarks against the commission thereby scandalising the commission." While his counsel had later apologised unconditionally, the PTI chief had failed to do the same despite being provided "repeated opportunities".
Babar had then sought contempt proceedings to be initiated Khan whose actions "appear to have the effect of lowering the authority" of the ECP and bringing it into "disrespect and disrepute," the notification, issued by order of the Election Commission of Pakistan, says.
Earlier this month, the ECP had issued another show cause notice asking Khan to submit his reply after it had decided it was within its jurisdiction to initiate contempt proceedings.
However, Khan's counsel Babar Awan had said that his client needed more time since they wanted to challenge the ECP notice in the high court. The ECP had then decided to give Khan more time and had issued another contempt notice to him.
