Non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Imran Khan

International Desk: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a contempt of court case for "repeatedly failing to appear for the hearing and for failing to send a written apology for absence in court".

The ECP ordered that the PTI chief "be arrested and brought for the next hearing of the case" filed by PTI dissident and one of the party's founding members, Akbar S. Babar, on October 26. 

PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haq said the party will challenge the warrant in the Islamabad High Court, Dawn news reported. 

On September 14, the ECP had issued a bailable arrest warrant against Khan following his failure to show up for the proceedings, which were later suspended by the court on the PTI's petition. 

"A new warrant is issued in the same case where a (bailable) warrant was already suspended. We will also look into whether this is contempt of the IHC's full bench or not, and then (the party) we will challenge it," said PTI member and Khan's chief counsel Babar Awan. 

In August, the ECP had issued a second show-cause notice to Khan after he failed to reply to an earlier notice regarding the contempt of court proceedings against him. 

 

 risingbd/Dhaka/October 12, 2017/Mehadi/A K Azad