ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The warrants were issued in contempt of court case against the PTI chief.

Khan is facing the case over his scandalous remarks about the commission. The contempt petition was filed by PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar.

A full bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza is hearing the case.

In the previous hearing last month, the ECP issued a second show-cause notice to Imran Khan over his failure to file response to an earlier notice in the contempt of court proceeding.

Today was the last day for Imran Khan to file his reply in the case; however, his lawyer Babar Awan appeared before the commission. He informed the bench that Khan could not file the reply since he was in UK and has returned today just an hour ago.

He further said that Imran Khan’s petition is pending before Islamabad High Court where a larger bench will hear it today.

“Imran Khan respects the court and will turn up whenever required,” Awan assured.

However, the commission did not buy the argument, saying that Khan should have personally appeared before the commission if he really respected the courts.

After hearing Babar Awan, the ECP issued bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan and ordered him to appear in the next hearing on Sept 25. – Samaa