SC accepts Abidi’s apology in contempt case
Court maintains decision will not affect ATC proceedings for remarks against CJP
A file photo of Faisal Raza Abidi speaking to media outside Supreme Court. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
After throwing himself at mercy of the Supreme Court, unconditional apology of former senator Faisal Raza Abidi has been accepted in a contempt case.
Abidi had been served a notice over his reported use of derogatory language against the judiciary on a private news channel.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Yahya Afridi discharged the contempt notice against Abidi. However, the bench made it clear that the decision will not affect the anti-terrorism court (ATC) proceedings against Abidi, wherein he is facing a similar charge of using derogatory remarks against Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.
Faisal Raza Abidi throws himself at mercy of court
The bench noted that the court always shows grace on submission of unconditional apology by a contemnor.
Justice Saeed advised Abidi to be cautious in future. “We always tolerate fair criticism but will not allow institutions to be maligned. Decorum has to be maintained,” he said.
Abidi’s counsel Dr Amjad Hussain Bukhari stated that his client has been in prison for the past 70 days and now he has realised it. However, Justice Afridi asked why Abidi was arrested outside the SC premises. The deputy attorney general said that was a different matter.
It is pertinent to note that an ATC on Monday indicted Abidi in a case regarding the use of ‘inappropriate and derogatory language’ against the CJP in the same interview.
During the ongoing year, the SC has already disqualified three Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers for contempt of court. One of the lawmakers, senator Nehal Hashmi, had also tendered an apology but he was jailed for one month.
A number of lawmakers and media persons have tendered unconditional apologies in various cases before the CJP during the year. The apex court accepted the apologies of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Senator Azam Swati, MNA Amir Liaqat, Gilgit-Baltistan Minister Fida Hussain and some media persons.
However, the court rejected unconditional apologies of police officials found guilty in manhandling of former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry in March 2007.
Abidi says in his apology that he has remained behind bars and been presented before various courts in handcuffs, resulting in his and his family’s humiliation, which is another punishment he received.
“I have learned to be more responsible and calculating in my expressions, words and actions, therefore this piece of writing called apology I surrender before the mercy of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take lenient view about me and acquit me from all the charges/cases. I hereby give assurance that in future I would be circumspect in my utterance,” says the apology.
After throwing himself at mercy of the Supreme Court, unconditional apology of former senator Faisal Raza Abidi has been accepted in a contempt case.
Abidi had been served a notice over his reported use of derogatory language against the judiciary on a private news channel.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Yahya Afridi discharged the contempt notice against Abidi. However, the bench made it clear that the decision will not affect the anti-terrorism court (ATC) proceedings against Abidi, wherein he is facing a similar charge of using derogatory remarks against Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.
Faisal Raza Abidi throws himself at mercy of court
The bench noted that the court always shows grace on submission of unconditional apology by a contemnor.
Justice Saeed advised Abidi to be cautious in future. “We always tolerate fair criticism but will not allow institutions to be maligned. Decorum has to be maintained,” he said.
Abidi’s counsel Dr Amjad Hussain Bukhari stated that his client has been in prison for the past 70 days and now he has realised it. However, Justice Afridi asked why Abidi was arrested outside the SC premises. The deputy attorney general said that was a different matter.
It is pertinent to note that an ATC on Monday indicted Abidi in a case regarding the use of ‘inappropriate and derogatory language’ against the CJP in the same interview.
During the ongoing year, the SC has already disqualified three Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers for contempt of court. One of the lawmakers, senator Nehal Hashmi, had also tendered an apology but he was jailed for one month.
A number of lawmakers and media persons have tendered unconditional apologies in various cases before the CJP during the year. The apex court accepted the apologies of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Senator Azam Swati, MNA Amir Liaqat, Gilgit-Baltistan Minister Fida Hussain and some media persons.
However, the court rejected unconditional apologies of police officials found guilty in manhandling of former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry in March 2007.
Abidi says in his apology that he has remained behind bars and been presented before various courts in handcuffs, resulting in his and his family’s humiliation, which is another punishment he received.
“I have learned to be more responsible and calculating in my expressions, words and actions, therefore this piece of writing called apology I surrender before the mercy of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take lenient view about me and acquit me from all the charges/cases. I hereby give assurance that in future I would be circumspect in my utterance,” says the apology.