An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday acquitted former senator Faisal Raza Abidi in a case related to contemptuous remarks against the judiciary, which he had delivered during an interview. After the completion of arguments, the court acquitted the former senator, while co-accused Ahsan Salim and Hans Mansoor also received a clean chit from the ATC. On April 9, Abidi had recorded his statement in the case, he said he respected the constitution of Pakistan and would continue to defend it.
“I cannot even think of committing contempt of court,” he continued in his remarks.
The former senator said he had filed references against two former chief justices of Pakistan. The judge adjourned the hearing of the case until April 18 after completion of Abidi’s crossing examination. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 20 had approved Abidi’s bail plea after a medical report confirmed that he was suffering from multiple illnesses. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked Abidi under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
