Contempt case: SC orders police to produce Faisal Raza Abidi in court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday ordered police to produce Faisal Raza Abidi in court after a contempt case was lodged against the politician.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, held the hearing for the contempt case against the former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and instructed concerned officials to ensure Abidi’s presence in court.

Top court summons Faisal Raza Abidi tomorrow over ‘anti-judiciary’ remarks
“The channel should be ashamed,” the top judge remarked, as he ordered a contempt notice to be issued for a private TV channel. “Does this qualify as freedom for speech,” questioned Justice Nisar. “Did they not see the program before broadcasting it?”

The chief executive officer (CEO) of the channel appeared in court and admitted that broadcasting the program was a mistake. “If it was a mistake, then submit your response against the contempt notice,” the top judge responded. At this, the CEO responded by saying that they have tendered an apology and terminated the anchor at hand.

“Is this the way to tender an apology? Where is Faisal Raza Abidi,” the CJP remarked. “You resort to an apology after broadcasting the program? We do not accept your apology,” said the chief justice, adjourning the hearing till May 3.

On Tuesday, the apex court issued a contempt notice to former senator Faisal Raza Abidi over his reported use of derogatory language against the judiciary on a private television channel.

Abidi, during a programme aired on on the private TV channel, used derogatory language against a former top judge. Furthermore, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) also banned the channel’s programme for three months, in addition to imposing a fine of Rs1 million.

The authority also directed the channel to air an apology on the same day as the hearing. The channel was further directed that any violation of the order will lead to the cancellation of its operating license. PEMRA had on April 13 issued a show cause notice to the channel and sought an explanation over the reported anti-judiciary remarks.

Source: Express Tribune