ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Saturday issued a decision on the contempt of court case against Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, stating that the proceedings were initiated as a result of “derogatory remarks passed in writing against the Commission”.

The decision was issued by a five-member commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza. The commission in its decision said that under People’s Representative act and article 204 of the constitution, the ECP has powers to take action on contempt of court.

The commission said that the proceeding was being started against PTI chief Imran Khan under article 103A of the Constitution of Pakistan, article 204 of People’s Representative Act and Contempt of Court Ordinance.

In its decision the commission, while citing different cases of the Supreme Court, said that it could start contempt of court proceeding on application by any person and that thousands of contempt of court applications had been filed in different courts of the country.

It said the applicant who had submitted an application for contempt of court proceeding was a petitioner and direct party while Imran Khan did not submit written apology on his remarks on January 1.

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan had issued a show-cause notice in the contempt of court case to Khan.

The ECP had remarked in its decision that it could take action against the contempt of court, as it was in ECP’s jurisdiction.

The eight-page detailed verdict has been signed by CEC Justice (rt) Sardar Muhammad Raza and all four members of the ECP.

The verdict states that “in view of section 103A of ROPA, 1976, the Commission is vested with the same powers of contempt as are vested in a High Court under Article 204 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

Referring to the delaying tactics employed by Khan’s lawyer, the verdict said, “various adjournments were sought on various pretexts. Different vakalatnamas were filed and at the end Advocate Babar Awan was engaged who raised objection to the proceedings on the ground that the Election Commission of Pakistan had no power to proceed for its contempt.”

Furthermore, the PTI chief had been given time until August 23 to submit his reply before the ECP.

Imran Khan had earlier challenged the ECP’s power to initiate contempt of court proceedings against him, and the commission had reserved its decision on July 25.