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Thursday, September 20, 2012SC orders inquiry into Faisal Abidi’s ‘campaign’ against CJP
* Registrar Office directs interior secretary, FIA DG and Islamabad police to submit inquiry report within seven days
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: After more than two months, the Supreme Court has finally taken notice of the alleged malicious campaign against the chief justice of Pakistan by PPP Senator Faisal Raza Abidi.
Sources told Daily Times the court through its registrar had directed the interior secretary, FIA director general and Islamabad police to probe whether it was an organised campaign against the judiciary or the chief justice, and submit a report within seven days.
They also said SC Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain on the instructions of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had sent a letter to Interior Secretary Khawaja Siddique Akbar, FIA Director General Muhammad Anwar Virk and Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Bani Amin, ordering them to conduct an inquiry against the PPP senator’s alleged ‘malicious campaign against the judiciary’ and the chief justice.
In the letter, the SC registrar has directed the officials to investigate whether Abidi’s comments were made in a deliberate attempt to malign the CJP. On the other hand, the SC additional registrar has feigned ignorance about the issuance of letter to the three officials.
Earlier, on August 6, the court sought the record of Abidi’s August 5 press conference in which he had called for the resignation of the CJP. The court sought footage of the press briefing to examine whether it constituted contempt of court.
Meanwhile, several petitions were moved in the SC to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Abidi over his allegedly disrespectful press conference. Tariq Asad advocate filed the contempt petition under Article 204 of the constitution, making Abidi, PEMRA Acting Chairman Dr Abdul Jabbar and others respondents.
Meanwhile, another application was filed in the Supreme Court, praying a medical board consisting of psychologists and psychiatrics be formed to examine the mental health of Abidi.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk