SC summons Faisal Raza Abidi to explain his 'anti-judiciary' remarks aired on Channel 5

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took suo moto notice of the alleged anti-judiciary remarks made by former senator Faisal Raza Abidi during a programme on Channel 5, DawnNewsTV reported.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, will hear the case on Wednesday. The apex court has issued a notice to Abidi in this regard.

Meanwhile, The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a fine of Rs1 million on Channel 5 and also placed a three-month ban on its programme “News @ 8” during which the remarks were reportedly aired.

The regulatory authority has also asked Channel 5 to run an apology during prime time transmission on April 19, 2018.

According to a statement issued by Pemra, the authority had issued a show cause notice to Channel 5 on April 13 asking it to submit a reply and appear before it within three days time.

After hearing the channel’s explanation, the regulatory authority on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on the programme and further informed the channel administration that in case of any further violation their licence will be cancelled.

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ALI

Apr 17, 2018 10:00pm

Abidi is a great man. I didn't watch his show in which he made his remarks, but he too must be punished if his remarks are found to be serious. Also, Maryam should also be punished very hard due to all the extreme hard provoking speeches she gave against judiciary

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ali

Apr 17, 2018 10:03pm

Nawaz Sharif and Marium Nawaz are making anti judiciary speeches on regular basis why not summon them. Selective justice is not fair.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Apr 17, 2018 10:06pm

These type of anti judrciary remarks will continue to be made and aired by failed politicans to be in the news and limelight. Until, our courts and judges take stringent action and send such retarded politicians and their cronies in jail for contempt of court - this will teach them a lesson and deter others!

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AHAQ

Apr 17, 2018 10:08pm

Violation of rules that the channels have signed to get licence must result in fines and closing if necessary.

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Imran

Apr 17, 2018 10:08pm

Everybody wants their 10 minutes of fame by abusing judiciary.

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khurram

Apr 17, 2018 10:14pm

No one on channels should be allowed to pass any remarks on judiciary

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Apr 17, 2018 10:20pm

Faisal Abadi first see his mouth in mirror and then speak against judiciary.

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Tarik

Apr 17, 2018 10:22pm

This dude is famous fro making notorious remarks fro all topics; he needs to be tamed!

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Ali

Apr 17, 2018 10:34pm

True and brave person i salute ur courage abidi sb great hero

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 17, 2018 10:45pm

Nip the evil in the bud so that it does not become a monster.

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Saad Khan

Apr 17, 2018 10:59pm

If CJP take action and order immediate audit of development funds recently allotted to N League members, everything will come at its right place, recover, charge sheet and put them in jail.

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Farhan

Apr 17, 2018 11:55pm

Lawlessness among media presenter and political outfits. I feel ashamed when the only supreme institution is blamed for their actions.

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Shah

Apr 18, 2018 12:13am

Why not similar action on PML N stalwarts ???

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Saint

Apr 18, 2018 12:27am

I think Pakistan has too many TV channels and too many talk shows.

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Syed D

Apr 18, 2018 01:22am

Started by Nawaz Sharif to talk against judiciary being followed by others, a law should be passed to stop this nonsense.

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Political connoisseur

Apr 18, 2018 01:23am

Faisal Raza Abidi is infamous as well as famous for boldly speaking. His case will be difficult to progress or process.

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Muhib E Watan

Apr 18, 2018 02:01am

What Faisal Raza Abdi highlighted in the program has very powerful thoughts and many questions arising about the situation in the country regarding the political situation and the corruption cases? Who will answer those questions?

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Loimashar

Apr 18, 2018 02:11am

It is a shame that PEMRA is nothing but a lame duck.

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Ghani K

Apr 18, 2018 03:33am

When he was favourite of Zardari, I watched him on one of the TV talk show, he was running out of breath praising Zardari and his leadership. He almost came close to calling Zardari ‘s leadership only next to Mao-tse-Tung. Now he is Zardari ‘s worst critic.

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Changez Khan

Apr 18, 2018 03:50am

Lock him up.

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Muhib E Watan

Apr 18, 2018 05:47am

Very well said Faisal Abdi. We need answers?

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asif

Apr 18, 2018 06:43am

Who is this guy now? Everyon here is a celebrity.

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Dr. Dawood

Apr 18, 2018 06:46am

The compare of that talk show pumped up Faisal a bit too much in the introduction. This ought to happen.

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Apr 18, 2018 07:40am

SC should now turn towards the big fishes like Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, big business magnets and ask them not to leave the country until they have explained how they built their money empire. Furthermore, they should be asked under judiciary orders to bring back all their assets and deposit with the treasory and also on their accounts in the Pakistani Banks. SC should also ask the government to reform and introduce investment friendly regulations as done in so many similar countries including India. Pakistan needs to be brought back on track. SC needs to help.

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asad

Apr 18, 2018 11:57am

he should be banned for good because he is Irans Agent in Pakistan

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Abbasshah

Apr 18, 2018 11:04pm

Selective justice is no justice.Faisal RAZA ABDI is bold person speaks truth.

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HughslamaN

Apr 19, 2018 02:19am

So Faisal Raza Abidi basically said that this Chief Justice is ruining Pakistan. This sort of provocative, demeaning language is very hard to justify.

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