Abidi to be indicted in Feb 25 for ‘badmouthing, insulting’ judiciary

Accused have been instructed to ensure their presence at the court for the next hearing

ISLAMABAD: Former senator Faisal Raza Abidi will be indicted on February 25 for 'insulting and badmouthing' the judiciary.

During the hearing of the case in a cybercrime court by Judge Tahir Mehmood, Abidi was present in court, however, the co-accused was not present.



The court did not proceed with the indictment due to the absence of co-accused and delayed it till later in the month.

The accused in the case have been instructed to ensure their presence at the court for the next hearing.

The former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was released from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail in December.

The former Pakistan Peoples Party leader’s release came after a three-member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Yahya Afridi accepted his unconditional apology and discharged a contempt notice.

The apex court, however, emphasised that the decision would not affect 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.

Speaking to media after the release, Abidi said he repented during the imprisonment as any law-abiding citizen would. On his political future, he said he would announce final decision in next 15 days.

In the apology submitted before the top court, Abidi said he remained behind bars and was presented before various courts in handcuffs, resulting in his and his family’s humiliation – which is another punishment.

“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,” he said.