Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan's Indictment Deferred Until August 2 in Contempt Case: ECP

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has deferred the indictment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan till August 2 in a case related to contempt of the electoral body and the chief election commissioner.

The decision was made during a hearing on Tuesday, where Imran Khan appeared alongside his counsel. The ECP had ordered the arrest of Imran Khan on Monday, but his lawyer requested a deferment as he needed more time to gather the case record.

The ECP began contempt proceedings against Imran Khan, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry last year for using "intemperate language" against the chief election commissioner and the electoral watchdog.

Instead of appearing before the ECP, the three leaders challenged the notices and contempt proceedings in various high courts, arguing that the statutory provision regarding the commission's power to punish for contempt was against the Constitution.

However, in January, the Supreme Court allowed the ECP to continue proceedings against them. During Tuesday's hearing, journalists asked Imran Khan if he would apologize to the commission, to which he responded, "Do you think I should apologize? Why should I tender an apology when I did not make any mistake?" When questioned about taking more U-turns, Khan said he would "keep taking U-turns."

He also quipped that he had become a lawyer after facing numerous cases. Imran Khan has been facing multiple cases in various courts since his removal from power in April 2022. Fawad Chaudhry, a former supporter of Khan, recently tendered an apology to the ECP in the contempt case against him. The next hearing in the case will take place on August 2, with Imran Khan's presence being required.