Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister, refused to sign the indictment in a case accusing him of contempt of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
This defiant move comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) toughened its stance against what it perceives as delay tactics by Khan and his co-defendant, Fawad Chaudhry.
The case originally involved charges of using derogatory language against the ECP and its chief. After multiple postponements and requests for adjournments, often held in Adiala Jail where Khan is currently imprisoned, the hearing has finally been shifted back to the ECP headquarters.
The ECP issued a written order criticizing the PTI’s previous stalling tactics. Member Sindh Nisar Durrani, who heads the four-member bench overseeing the case, expressed surprise at another adjournment request during the January 3 hearing.
The order stated that adjournment could be granted with strong grounds, but in this case, it appeared that deliberate delay tactics were being employed to prolong the case. Consequently, the adjournment request was rejected.
While the accused criticized the charge sheet, Imran Khan refused to sign it after the hearing. The matter has been pending since August 22, 2022, and attempts at adjournment have been a recurring theme, causing the postponement of the hearing until January 3.
