LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday allowed more time to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to file a reply to a petition of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan challenging his jail trial in a contempt case by the ECP.

A three-member full bench, headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, resumed the hearing on the petition and a counsel for the ECP explained the delay in submission of the reply, saying certain documents needed to be included in the case record. He sought more time to furnish the reply.

The bench expressed displeasure at the nonsubmission of a reply by the ECP but allowed its request and adjourned the hearing.

Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry andJustice Asjad Javaid Ghural were the other members of the bench.

The petition by Mr Khan contended that the ECP, on Nov 30, 2023, had passed the impugned order to conduct the trial at Adiala Jail on account of unspecified security concerns.

It pleaded that the ECP failed to appreciate that a jail trial would violate several fundamental rights of the petitioner, adding that the ECP had incorrectly held that it could order a trial in secret and in jail. It argued that a jail trial was a violation of Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair trial and due process of law.

The petition asked the court to set aside the ECP`s decision and direct it to hold an open and public trial with full access to his legal team, media and public.