The Election Commission of Pakistan postponed proceedings in contempt cases against Imran Khan, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry till December 6 after all three failed to appear on Monday.

The ECP had set today’s date for indictment proceedings against the three politicians.

Imran Khan is in Adiala Jail in the cipher case and was not brought to the ECP for proceedings.

The interior secretary told the ECP that the Khan’s trial could be held in jail and could be notified if the Commission wished.

When ECP’s Nisar Durrani asked if the law allowed a jail trial, the secretary replied that he would seek input from the law ministry.

Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyer told the ECP that the former minister is currently in judicial custody in a case for which he was arrested on October 11.

No one representing Asad Umar showed up in the ECP on Monday. ECP’s DG Law Saima Janjua said that Umar’s lawyer has requested a postponement.

In the previous hearing, the ministry of interior had advised the ECP to hold proceedings against Khan in jail based on security reasons.

However, the ECP had strongly objected to the ministry’s suggestion and questioned how the ministry could issue instructions in such a matter.

The cases were registered against Khan, Umar and Chaudhry for using ‘intemprate language’ against the Commission.