Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) to contest the decision to conduct his contempt case trial in jail in response to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) proceedings against him, which are set to be held at Adiala Jail due to security concerns.
The ECP initiated the contempt proceedings against Imran Khan in August 2022 and former PTI leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry. The allegations involved using “intemperate” language against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
The ECP’s decision on November 30 to conduct the trial in Adiala Jail has been contested by Khan’s petition, which argues for an open and public trial, allowing full access to his legal team, media, and the public.
Upcoming Hearing and Security Concerns
The petition filed by Imran Khan will be taken up by Justice Aalia Neelum on the following Monday. The ECP, citing security risks, had previously decided to hold the proceedings in Adiala Jail on December 6. A four-member bench of the ECP is scheduled to hear the contempt case against the PTI founder on December 13, with no alternative options for the continuation of the proceedings.
In the last hearing on October 24, the interior ministry and Islamabad police had communicated to the ECP that producing Khan for the trial would pose a security risk, prompting the decision to conduct the trial in jail. The ministry subsequently issued an apology to the body for the security concerns.
