Former Senator Faisal Raza Abidi has tendered an unconditional apology and begged forgiveness from the apex court and promised that he will not repeat the grievous mistake in future. The ex-Senator on Monday filed an application regarding unconditional apology as a three-judge bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, will take up his contempt case tomorrow (Wednesday). Faisal Raza Abidi had used derogatory language against Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on a private television channel programme.
Raza Abidi who is presently confined in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, prayed that his unconditional apology may graciously be accepted and that he may kindly be pardoned from the suo motu contempt proceedings.
The application stated, "I (Raza Abidi) has no logic, reason or argument to defend my uncalled for conduct and remarks against the Chief Justice of Pakistan; therefore, I tender unconditional apology and beg forgiveness from the apex court and promise that in future I will not repeat the grievous mistake."
He mentioned that no State can be called civilised unless its citizens respect constitutional institutions, particularly the judiciary and the judges. Raza Abidi stated that he fully understands that the loyalty to the State and obedience to the Constitution is the inviolable obligation of every citizen under Article 5 of Constitution. He, therefore, submitted: "I once again tender unconditional apology and leave the fate of titled contempt proceedings at the mercy of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan."
He stated that the authorities lodged three FIRs against him regarding one single occurrence, two FIRs u/s 7ATA, read with other enabling provisions of law, have been lodged at PS Secretariat Islamabad, and one FIR, has been lodged by FIA, Cyber Crime. He stated that this way he is facing three prosecutions in respect of one offence and if the contempt proceeding before the Supreme Court is included then he is facing quadruple prosecution regarding one offence.
"I am a patient, my bladder has got a stone affecting my kidneys, and there is blockade in my liver dragging me to hepatitis and failure of liver functions may result in my premature death, if not cured in time.
"Due to my arrest and rejection of all bail petitions, my parents have received extreme shock; my father was hospitalised for cardiac surgery and my mother is also receiving intensive care. In short my whole family, besides millions of followers, is mentally and emotionally upset.
"Pakistan is undergoing a very disturbing era and any conflict with the institutions is devastating and as a patriotic individual I for the sake of my country realising my questionable conduct of TV show, beseech your Lordship to accept my unconditional apology as to err is human and forgive divine.
"I have spent more than 35 days behind the bar; I've been handcuffed and produced before different courts watched by the media resulting humiliation for me and my family which is another punishment I've received. I have learnt to be more responsible and calculating in my expression, words and actions, therefore, through this piece of writing called apology.
"I surrender before the mercy of Supreme Court of Pakistan to take lenient view about me and acquit me from all the charges/cases. I hereby give assurance that in future I would be circumspect in my utterance."