PTI chief Imran Khan has moved the Lahore High Court against the proceedings of Election Commission to remove him as the head of his party after his disqualification in the Toshakhana case.
Terming the notice issued by the top electoral authority "illegal", Imran said it was exceeding its powers as it attempted to remove him from the top role.
It urged the high court to suspend the notice issued, in addition to restraining the ECP from any further step ahead of the court's final verdict.
The Commission had initiated proceedings against Imran so as to remove him from chairmanship, after he was disqualified in the Toshakhana case last month.
A day earlier (Jan 3), the Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission to continue its proceedings of contempt against PTI chief Imran Khan, and other party’s leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry.
The order was issued by a three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Ayesha Malik.
The top electoral authority had last year issued contempt notices to Imran, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Mian Shabbir Ismail and Danial Khalid Khokhar for their alleged use of “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and the Commission.
It had subsequently asked them to appear in person or via their counsels and explain their motive behind the statements.
Instead of doing so, the PTI leaders challenged the notices in different high courts, terming commission’s power to punish for contempt, as against the Constitution.
The former ruling party has been critical of ECP's actions against it, with the party's chief terming general elections under the current setup futile.
Many a times, Imran Khan lashed out at the chief election commissioner, accusing him of colluding with the ruling party, archrivals PML-N.
The top electoral authority, however, doesn't seem to be under pressure so as to avoid decisions that go against Imran or his party.
Analysts say that contrary to the former PM's aspirations, the general elections may not take place soon.
Terming the notice issued by the top electoral authority "illegal", Imran said it was exceeding its powers as it attempted to remove him from the top role.
It urged the high court to suspend the notice issued, in addition to restraining the ECP from any further step ahead of the court's final verdict.
The Commission had initiated proceedings against Imran so as to remove him from chairmanship, after he was disqualified in the Toshakhana case last month.
A day earlier (Jan 3), the Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission to continue its proceedings of contempt against PTI chief Imran Khan, and other party’s leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry.
The order was issued by a three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Ayesha Malik.
The top electoral authority had last year issued contempt notices to Imran, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Mian Shabbir Ismail and Danial Khalid Khokhar for their alleged use of “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and the Commission.
It had subsequently asked them to appear in person or via their counsels and explain their motive behind the statements.
Instead of doing so, the PTI leaders challenged the notices in different high courts, terming commission’s power to punish for contempt, as against the Constitution.
The former ruling party has been critical of ECP's actions against it, with the party's chief terming general elections under the current setup futile.
Many a times, Imran Khan lashed out at the chief election commissioner, accusing him of colluding with the ruling party, archrivals PML-N.
The top electoral authority, however, doesn't seem to be under pressure so as to avoid decisions that go against Imran or his party.
Analysts say that contrary to the former PM's aspirations, the general elections may not take place soon.