SC directs police to arrest, produce Abidi before it

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the police to arrest Faisal Raza Abidi, a former senator, and produce him before it in a contempt of court case over un-parliamentary remarks against the judiciary.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, also issued a contempt of court notice to a private TV channel.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice asked the chief executive officer (CEO) of the channel whether the TV administration had not seen the programme before its broadcast.

The TV channel CEO admitted that broadcasting of the programme was a mistake on their part and tendered apology before the court.

The CJP observed that the channel management should be ashamed of the way he had tendered apology and directed the CEO to submit his stance in writing. It had become a trend to first make anti-judiciary remarks and then tender an apology, he added.

The CEO informed the bench that the programme's anchor-person had been expelled. He would submit a written apology till next date of hearing.

The CJP then asked about the whereabouts of Abidi. Why he was not appearing before the court after giving derogatory remarks against the judiciary, he asked.

The bench then ordered the police to arrest and produce Abidi and adjourned the case till May 3.

It may be added that Abidi, during a programme aired on the private TV channel, used derogatory language against a former top judge. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the channel’s programme for three months, besides imposing fine of one million rupees.