Fawad seeks to defuse tension with ECP.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry tried to ease tension with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by saying: 'We have praised your role but you didn't notice it'.

Fawad made these remarks as he appeared before the ECP in a contempt case against him, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and former finance minister Asad Umar.

The proceedings were conducted by a four-member bench of the commission, headed by ECP Member Nisar Durrani.

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry, representing Imran and Fawad, and Advocate Anwar Mansoor, counsel for Asad Umar, appeared before the commission.

'Whole nation has trust in two institutions: the election commission and the Supreme Court,' he said, adding that Imran Khan was supposed to come but there was security problem.

Referring to the legal proceedings against the party, the former information minister said that new cases were lodged against them 'everyday'.

The ECP Sindh member said that these matters will have to be fixed by the political parties.

'We are standing with the commission,' Fawad said, adding that he had no personal grudge with the commission. 'We want to strengthen institutions,' the PTI leader added.

'Our prayer is that Allah gives you stability so that you resist all pressures and hold elections,' he said, adding that he respected members of the election commission as they all had brilliant careers.

'Our priority is Pakistan,' ECP member Babar Bharwana said, adding that the electoral body was playing its role as per the law.

PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhary said that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the ECP to decide if the case was admissible.

The commission should first decide the legal status of this case, the advocate added, praying that the commission should end the contempt proceedings.

Former prime minister Imran Khan's request for exemption from attendance was also submitted to the commission.

Fawad Chaudhary said...