SC rejects PPP leader’s apology for anti-CJP remarks

Court orders FIA to ascertain as to on whose behalf Abbasi had delivered the speech

ISLAMABAD:

The top court on Friday rejected PPP leader Masoodur Rehman Abbasi's apology for his disrespectful remarks against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed.

The court issued directions to the Federal Investigation Agency to ascertain as to on whose behalf Abbasi had delivered the speech, noting that he could not have made such a statement on his own.
It would frame charges against him at the next date of hearing.

Abbasi, an official of the PPP’s Karachi chapter, is facing contempt of court charges for his derogatory remarks against the CJP at a public gathering.

In a video and audio clip circulated on social media, the PPP leader can be seen making indecent and disrespectful remarks about the judges.
Abbasi appeared before a four-member bench after the SC took suo motu notice of the matter.
The court issued him notice on June 22.

The FIA rounded up Abbasi and registered a case against him under the Cyber Crime Act.
The PPP leader submitted a written apology to the top court. However, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who is heading the bench, asked Abbasi to submit his response in writing.

The judge noted that a verbal statement from the PPP leader would not help in deciding the case.
Abbasi told the court that he was the sole earner for two wives and seven children. He said in his written apology that he respected all courts and that he was troubled due to his mother's death and domestic squabbles.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan recalled that in the video Abbasi had said if the court summoned him, he would "show the court its status".

"Now that you have been summoned, show us our status," the judge said, telling the PPP leader that he should have considered his circumstances before making "such big statements".

"What does the chief justice have to do with atom bombs and missiles? This way anyone can apologise after making insulting statements."

Justice Bandial asked Abbasi who had told him that the chief justice was "sector in-charge” of a political party. Abbasi replied that no one had told him and he had said so himself.

The bench said the FIA investigation would reveal the reason for his speech and told him to maintain his dignity, adding that the court would make a decision in accordance with the law.

An FIA official present in court told the bench that the PPP leader was being interrogated and his remand had been obtained from a sessions court. He added that the FIA would find out whoever was behind Abbasi.
The court remarked that the cases of PML-N leaders Nehal Hashmi, Talal Chaudhry and Daniyal Aziz of a similar nature would also be reviewed.