Incendiary remarks: ATC indicts ex-senator Faisal Raza Abidi

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday indicted former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Faisal Raza Abidi in a case pertaining to anti-judiciary remarks.

The court read out charges against Abidi who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest them. It directed the prosecution to present its witnesses on next hearing to record their testimonies against him.

A lawyer representing him told the judge that his client isn’t well and therefore, be shifted to hospital for treatment.

The court ordered a second medical examination of Abidi and remarked it would order his transfer to hospital if such need arouse.

Last month, the court reject post arrest bail plea filed by Abidi on health grounds. It after examining his medical report and recommendations of Adiala Jail administration rejected the bail plea.

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, Abidi with criminal intent had used sarcastic, derogatory and defamatory language against the 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.

Abidi is also facing other FIRs registered at the secretariat police station under PPC’s sections 228, 500, 505(ii) and 34, along with the ATA, following a complaint lodged by SC public relations Officer Shahid Hussain Kambyo for using threatening language and leveling allegations against government institutions and individuals holding the highest constitutional posts.