Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry face charges of contempt as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) brings formal accusations against them.

On Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) formally charged Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a contempt case against the electoral body and the chief election commissioner. In a hearing conducted by a four-member bench, led by Sindh Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani, held in Adiala jail where both leaders are currently detained, the former prime minister and ex-minister were present and refuted the allegations outlined in the charge sheet.

The ECP then adjourned the hearing on the contempt case until January 16. The electoral body had initiated contempt proceedings against the former PTI chairman, former party leader Asad Umar, and Fawad for making disrespectful remarks about the commission and its chief in various public meetings, press conferences, and interviews.

According to the notice, the politicians are accused of using unparliamentary and contemptuous language against the ECP on various occasions. The political leaders were given the option to appear personally before the commission bench to clarify their position or through their legal representatives.

Instead of appearing before the bench, they contested the commission's jurisdiction in various high courts. However, in January 2023, the Supreme Court allowed the commission to proceed with proceedings against them, and on June 21, the ECP decided to frame charges against them.

As per the charge sheet, Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry initiated a contemptuous campaign against the ECP in 2022. The document mentioned instances where they used non-parliamentary language against the ECP in a public gathering in Bhakkar on July 12, 2022, among other similar incidents.

The charge sheet asserted that the accused committed contempt against the ECP under the Election Act 2017, and the electoral body has the authority to take action against them according to the Supreme Court's observation. The prosecution called for the initiation of a trial against the accused based on evidence, videos, and documents.

During the previous hearing on December 27, the ECP could not formally charge Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry, leading to the adjournment of the hearing and charge sheeting until January 3. Outside Adiala jail, PTI leader Asghar Chaudhry expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that such an Election Commission was never seen even during the martial law era. He criticized the rejection of nomination papers and the confiscation of papers from candidates, stating that even cruelty has its limits.