Faisal Raza Abidi indicted for 'insulting, threatening' CJP

Abidi made the remarks during a web interview in July

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday indicted former senator Faisal Raza Abidi in a case regarding the use of 'inappropriate and derogatory language' against Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar in an interview.

ATC judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the case. Abidi's counsel pleaded that his client needed medical treatment and should be shifted from jail to a good hospital as was his fundamental right. The court ordered a medical checkup for Abidi, after which a decision over the transfer to a hospital would be taken.

The court after indictment also summoned three prosecution witnesses for testimony before the court in the next hearing fixed for January 3.



Anchor Shanzay Rehman who hosted the interview has already been declared a proclaimed offender by the court.

Former senator Faisal Raza Abidi was arrested from the premises of the Supreme Court in October for ‘insulting and threatening’ the chief justice.

Abidi had passed statements against the CJP during a web TV show, and reportedly defamed and insulted the judiciary.

He was shifted to the Secretariat police station following his arrest.

A police officer had told The Express Tribune that Abidi made the remarks during an interview with a web-based platform Naya Pakistan, which was posted online on July 2.



“During the contempt of court case against me, I told this judge that he was a traitor because he took oath under PCO,” Abidi said in the interview, adding that he had also filed a reference against the chief justice in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

The FIR was registered at the Secretariat police station in Islamabad after SC’s public relations officer Shahid Hussain submitted a complaint.