ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday admitted a petition seeking post-arrest bail for former senator Faisal Raza Abidi on medical grounds.

Mr Abidi was arrested last month outside the Supreme Court’s building on Oct 10 for using abusive language against Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.

Earlier, the trial court as well as the IHC had denied him post-arrest bail.

On Monday, the IHC’s two-member division bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the petition.

Ex-senator was detained last month for using abusive language against CJP

The counsel for the petitioner told the court that the medical reports showed that the ex-senator was suffering from a severe infection and required immediate treatment. He requested the court to direct the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to share Mr Abidi’s medical report so that he might be provided the required treatment. He further requested the bench to accept Mr Abidi’s bail petition.

Earlier, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) had rejected his application seeking post-arrest bail in the case.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked Mr Abidi under the Pakistan Penal Code and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

The court directed the FIA to submit a final challan by Nov 20 and adjourned the proceedings.

The FIR registered against Mr Abidi said during the course of his appearance on the TV show, the accused, with criminal intent and ulterior motives and without any lawful justification used sarcastic, derogatory, disrespectful and defamatory language against the chief justice. This, it said, was tantamount to creating a sense of fear, panic and insecurity among government officials and the public.

It said Mr Abidi was prima facie guilty of offences punishable under sections 10(a), 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, 2016 read with sections 109 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Mr Abidi is also facing other FIRs registered at the Secretariat police station under PPC’s sections 228, 500, 505(ii) and 34 along with the ATA in response to a complaint lodged by an official of the apex court.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2018