The Election Commission of Pakistan summoned the secretary interior over a suggestion to hold contempt proceedings against Imran Khan in jail, raising questions over how security would be ensured in the upcoming elections.

The four-member bench of the ECP presided over a hearing of the contempt case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar on Tuesday.

While Chaudhry and Umar attended the proceedings in person, Imran Khan was not brought from Adiala Jail.

Instead, Punjab Police’s AIG operations submitted a report saying Khan’s life was in danger and that traveling through congested areas of Rawalpindi was not without danger.

PTI’s lawyer told the court that not bringing Khan to the hearing was the real contempt. The ECP told the lawyer to bring Khan’s apology in writing.

However, the ECP took objection to a suggestion by the interior ministry that the proceedings should be held in jail. Asking how the interior ministry could issue orders to the ECP, the bench summoned the interior secretary at the next hearing.

The ECP also questioned how the government could provide security for an election when it could not bring one person to the proceedings.

The case has now been adjourned till November 13.