ATC acquits Faisal Raza Abidi in inflammatory interview case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has acquitted former senator Faisal Raza Abidi in a case related to contemptuous remarks in an interview against the judiciary, ARY News reported on Thursday.

The anti-terrorism court conducted hearing of a case pertains to the firebrand Faisal Raza Abidi over provocative remarks against the courts.

After the completion of arguments, the court acquitted the former senator, whereas, co-accused Ahsan Salim and Hans Mansoor were also received clean chit from the ATC.

On April 9, Former senator Faisal Raza Abidi had recorded his statement in a case related to contemptuous remarks against the top court.

The proceeding of the case was presided over by the ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjamand.

Abidi while recording his statement in the case in front of the honorable judge, he respects the Constitution of Pakistan and will continue to defend it.

“I cannot even think to do contempt of court”, he continued in his remarks.

The former senator said, he has filed references against two former chief justices of Pakistan.

The judge later adjourned the hearing of the case till April 18 after crossing examination from Abidi was completed.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday (December 20) had approved Abidi’s bail plea after a medical report confirmed that he was suffering from multiple illnesses.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked Abidi under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016.

According to the FIR registered against the former senator with criminal intent had used sarcastic, derogatory and defamatory language against the then chief justice of Pakistan and was prima facie guilty of offences punishable under sections 10(a), 11 and 20 of Peca, read with sections 109 and 509 of the PPC.