ISLAMABAD: Former senator Faisal Raza Abidi has been acquitted in cases registered against him for using indecent language against former chief justice of Pakis­tan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar.

Mr Abidi was arrested from outside the Supreme Court in October last year, after he was booked by the Secretariat police for using “highly insulting and inappropriate language” against the then CJP and the judiciary in an interview.

Mr Abidi is facing two other cases for alleged defamation of the judiciary and use of threatening language.

The former senator hit the headlines after a video of his interview went viral on social media in which his language was deemed abusive, contemptuous and threatening. He was also accused of levelling allegations against government institutions. He also levelled accusations against individuals holding the highest constitutional posts, according to an FIR registered later.

Another case was registered against Mr Abidi by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, 2016, for his remarks in another programme titled Subah Subah Naya Pakistan aired on web channel Naya Pakistan on July 2.

According to the FIR, during the course of his appearance on the show, the accused, with criminal intent and ulterior motives and without any lawful justification, used sarcastic, derogatory, disrespectful and defama­tory language against the CJP and other officials, which it says is tantamount to creating a sense of fear, panic and insecurity among the government, general public and society.

The cases, registered by assistant sub-inspector Shau­kat Abbasi, were lodged under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). It also included Sections 500 (punishment for defamation), 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 505 (II) (statements conducing to public mischief), 228 (intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding), 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against the state) and 109 (punishment of abetment if act abetted in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Mr Abidi, however, submitted an unconditional apology during the hearing of the suo motu notice former CJP Nisar took against his indecent remarks. In the apology, he stated that he “has no logic, reason or argument to defend his uncalled for conduct” and “promised that in future [he] will not repeat the grievous mistake”. The former senator urged the Supreme Court to “graciously” accept his apology and pardon him in the suo motu case.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2019