ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has accepted an unconditional apology tendered by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Monday for his adverse remarks aimed at the apex court.

The apex court had issued a contempt of court notice on Dec 14 to Hussain and his party’s deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar over the former’s remarks towards the Supreme Court judges.

Barrister Dr Farogh A. Nasim, representing Hussain at the court on Monday, submitted a written apology on behalf of MQM chief, saying that he believed in dignity and respect of the superior judiciary.

He said the party chief withdrew all the adverse remarks made against judiciary and showed his commitment to hold the judiciary in high esteem and dignity.

“He (Hussain) throws himself at the mercy of the court and prays that the notice be discharged and his unconditional apology be accepted,” pleaded the counsel.

Accepting the apology, the three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, appreciated Hussain’s gesture and disposed of the contempt notice against him.

Farogh also submitted unconditional apology on Sattar’s behalf and requested that no further action should be taken against them.

A delegation comprising provincial and national legislators from the MQM was present at the court for the hearing.

Speaking to media representatives prior to the start of the hearing, Sattar said the delegation had appeared to represent their party chief in the case and that it was not possible for Hussain to appear in Supreme Court for the hearing. He added that a petition requesting exemption of his personal appearance in court had also been filed.

The MNA further had said that the MQM had always held the court as supreme and that he hoped the issue would be amicably resolved.