Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the former Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan.
The politician has been facing more than 150 cases, including terrorism, since he was removed as Prime Minister in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022. The warrant said Mr. Khan was in contempt of the Election Commission’s proceedings and had failed to appear before the commission despite earlier notices and bailable warrants.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan’s notice was received at the residence of Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaaf. The notice was received by Rai Muhammad Ali Advocate, a member of the legal team. The Election Commission has requested the Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf to appear on July 25. Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf will appear before the Election Commission tomorrow,” Mr. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party tweeted.
الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان کا نوٹس چیئرمین تحریک انصاف کی رہائشگاہ پر موصول
نوٹس قانونی ٹیم کے رکن رائے محمد علی ایڈووکیٹ نے موصول کیا
الیکشن کمیشن نے چیئرمین تحریک انصاف سے 25 جولائی کو پیش ہونے کا تقاضا کیا ہے
چیئرمین تحریک انصاف کل الیکشن کمیشن کے روبرو پیش ہوں گے pic.twitter.com/oCl0ge6ya7
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 24, 2023
The 70-year-old politician was arrested in May 2023 by Pakistani authorities in connection with a corruption case, Which created chaos in the country. Mr. Khan was released on bail within days. The former PM has been reportedly accused of using “intemperate language and contemptuous remarks” against the ECP. It has led Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, inspector general of police to arrest Mr. Khan and present him before the election body on 25th July 2023.
The former PM said he was “ready for jail” while addressing his supporters on YouTube shortly after the arrest warrant. Last week, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mr Rana Sanaullah Khan made a new announcement regarding criminal proceedings against Khan. The government plans to open a case against him, accusing him of exposing official secrets in connection with diplomatic correspondence between Washington and Islamabad.