Islamabad (Staff Report): The Supreme Court has accepted former PPP senator Faisal Raza Abidi's unconditional apology for making derogatory remarks against judiciary.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday indicted Abidi, who is currently detained in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, for demeaning the superior judiciary.
The former senator had apologised for his "uncalled-for conduct and remarks against the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan".
Furthermore, he had acknowledged that he "has no logic, reason or argument to defend his uncalled-for conduct" and "promised that in future [he] will not repeat the grievous mistake".
Justice Azmat Saeed, who was heading the three-member SC bench that heard the case today, accepted the apology while noting that, "no one raises objections over constructive criticism; but criticism should be within limits."
However, the judge said that other similar cases against Abidi ongoing in different courts should be heard on "their merits".
The top court had taken a suo motu notice over Abidi's alleged anti-judiciary remarks and a hearing of the case is scheduled for Dec 19.
According to the FIR, Abidi passed derogatory remarks against the CJP and the judiciary in the interview.
On October 10, Faisal Raza Abidi, the former Senator of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was arrested by the Secretariat police after he appeared before the Supreme Court in 'derogatory' remarks case.
On Sept 21, a case was registered in the Secretariat Police Station under Pakistan Penal Code's sections 228, 500, 505(ii) and 34 along with Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The Sindh government on September 28 gave permission to Islamabad police for arresting Abidi.