ECP issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan upon his failure to appear before the body in a contempt of court case.

The ECP has ordered that the PTI chairman be arrested and brought to the next hearing of the case filed by PTI dissident and one of the party's founding members Akbar S. Babar on October 26.

According to PTI Spokesperson Naeemul Haq, the party is set to challenge the warrants in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

In today's hearing, headed by the ECP chairman, the commission suspended proceedings as soon as they began and the member reconvened in the chambers.

During the meeting, the ECP decided to send out non-bailable warrants for Khan.

Earlier on September 14, the ECP had issued bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan following his failure to show up for the contempt of court proceeding, which were later suspended by the IHC on the PTI's petition.

"A new warrant is issued in the same case where a [bailable] warrant was already suspended. We will also look into whether this is contempt of the IHC's full bench or not and then [the party] we will challenge it," said PTI member and lawyer Babar Awan.