Pakistan: Fawad Chaudhry moves Islamabad HC to challenge non-bailable arrest warrant

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry challenged the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), ARY News reported on Monday.

This comes after the ECP issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former PTI leader in a contempt case. The case was heard by a five-member commission presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner and the action was prompted by Fawad’s absence from the hearing related to the ECP contempt case.

During the proceedings, Fawad’s lawyer requested ECP to adjourn the case stating that the High Court will decide on the case in a couple of days.
The ECP then enquired as to whether or not Fawad would show up today. The High Court will make a decision on the case in a few days, according to Fawad’s attorney, who asked ECP to adjourn the case.

Following this, ECP rejected Fawad’s attorney’s argument and issued an arrest warrant for him in a contempt case without the possibility of bail. The case hearing has been postponed until July 28 now, according to ARY News.

However, ECP rejected the plea of Fawad’s counsel and issued a non-bailable arrest warrant in a contempt case.
The ruling came due to Fawad’s persistent absence during the most recent hearing of the ECP contempt case.

It is pertinent to mention here that in August 2022, the ECP issued notices to Chaudhry, and others for allegedly using “intemperate” language against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and the electoral watchdog, ARY news reported.

During the hearing of the ECP contempt case, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja decided to issue an arrest warrant for Fawad Chaudhry over his continuous absence.

Last month, a district and session court in Islamabad on Saturday deferred the indictment of former Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry in the sedition case, Pakistan-based ARY News reported.