ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), once again, issued a stay order to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), barring it from taking action on notices against Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for allegedly flouting poll code of conduct.

The ECP had taken various notices against Imran for addressing public gatherings and campaigning in different constituencies even after the announcement of by-elections in those areas.

The ECP said that Imran flouted its 2015 order that had restrained the president, prime minister, chief ministers, state ministers, governors and advisers, federal and provincial lawmakers from visiting or giving any subscriptions or donations in the constituencies.

The PTI chairman’s lawyer told the IHC that politicians who are public office holders are not allowed to participate in election campaigns under Article 260, but Imran is not a public office holder. He is only a representative of the public and thus, he cannot be kept from participating in election campaigns, the counsel said.

He said that ECP notices that are sent out after an election has taken place are not effective.

After hearing the PTI lawyer’s arguments, Justice Amir Farooq stopped the ECP from taking action against Imran until further notice. The case was adjourned until Feb.12.

The case first surfaced in April 2017, when the District Election Commissioner in Chakwal served Imran a show-cause notice, accusing the PTI chief of violating the ECP code of conduct as he campaigned in the district on ahead of upcoming by-polls.

After Imran moved the IHC against the ECP in May 2017, the court issued a stay order against the ECP, stopping the ECP from taking action against the PTI chief.