SC disposes of contempt notice after Altaf tenders unconditional apology

Altaf says, 'I leave myself at the mercy of the Supreme Court.' SC accepts apology.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf hussain tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court, Express News reported Monday. The court accepted his apology and disposed of the contempt notice.

Following the MQM chief's apology, the court said that it welcomed the move and appreciated it.

His lawyer Farrukh Naseem conveyed Altaf’s apology to the court.

Altaf’s nine-member legal team appeared before the court to defend him. Naseem, heading the team, told the court that his client respected the court.

In a written statement submitted before the court by Altaf, he retracted remarks he had made during his December 2 speech, in which he had termed the court’s remarks “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”.

In the statement Altaf said, “I leave myself at the mercy of the Supreme Court.”

MQM leader Farooq Sattar also tendered an unconditional apology.

MQM chief has shown great deal of statemanship, greatness: Sattar

Speaking to the media outside Supreme Court, Sattar said that by offering an apology, the MQM chief had shown a “great deal of statesmanship and greatness.”

The MQM leader said that after consulting with the legal team, Altaf prepared the statement which was submitted before the judicial bench, today.

Speaking about the MQM chief’s ‘political drone’ strike, Sattar said that it will be a “pleasant surprise” as it was a tradition of his party to “give pleasant surprises.”

Moreover, he said that MQM had always struggled to uphold the judiciary and its dignity, and that it respected judiciary’s independence. “The fact that MQM has, time and again, spoken for judiciary’s independence is not hidden from anyone.”

Earlier, while hearing the Karachi suo motu implementation case, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the Supreme Court will only deal with the contempt notice issued to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain after it is done hearing the Karachi unrest case.

On December 14, the apex court had issued contempt of court notice to Altaf, observing that he used contemptuous language about the judiciary and the judges.

The chief justice inquired about the steps taken after the interim order was issued by the Supreme Court. He asked if peace was restored in Karachi.

The advocate general Sindh informed him that the implementation of the order was in process.

Justice Chaudhry said that if the orders are not implemented within a year, then the contempt plea would be proven right.

He observed that the interim ordered issued on November 28, 2012, had stated that irrelevant people should not be allowed to enter Karachi. Justice Chauhdry said it was leniency that let Karachi open doors for the Taliban to infiltrate the city.

Earlier, headed by Justice Chaudhry, a three-member bench took exception to Altaf Hussain’s speech and issued notice to him to personally appear before the bench and explain as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him.

The MQM has already pleaded the Supreme Court to exempt Altaf from appearing in person before the court in response to the contempt notice.