Accepting an unconditional apology of MQM chief Altaf Hussain for delivering a derogatory speech against the superior courts judges, the Supreme Court on Monday discharged show cause notice against him.
The same day, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief said that his ‘political drone attack’ may be delayed by a day or two as he was searching for ‘some remaining parts’, according to a statement issued form London. He on Sunday had asked the people to get ready for a shocking political move to be taken by him in the next 72 hours.
Altaf was issued contempt of court notice on December 14, asking him to appear in person before the court on January 7, 2013 and to explain as to why the contempt proceeding should not be initiated against him for undermining and criticising the apex court judges.During Monday’s hearing the court also pardoned two other MQM leaders, MNA Farooq Sattar and Sindh MPA Rauf Siddiqui, for criticising the judiciary when they too tendered their unconditional apologies.
Farough Naseem, leading a nine-member legal team, appeared before the bench and submitted the written apology from Altaf Hussain, bring a surprise to the jam-packed court where several MQM leaders were also present who were also unaware about this party step.Naseem stated that the unconditional apology was being presented after completing all the legal procedures. He said that he had obtained power of attorney from Altaf Hussain duly ‘councilorised’ in Pakistan and notarised in UK.
He then read out the apology stating, “He (Altaf Hussain) had every intention to uphold the institution of the judiciary in high esteem and tenders unconditional apology before the Supreme Court, as all during his life, he had been struggling for upholding the majesty of the judiciary.”Through his apology, Altaf also withdrew all the adverse remarks he made on Dec 2 while addressing the party workers and assured the court that it would not be repeated again in future and that he holds every judge of the Supreme Court in high esteem.
The MQM chief also “threw himself at the mercy of the court” and pleaded to discharge the notice issued against him for the apology he made “from the bottom of his heart”.Heading the three member bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry accepted MQM chief’s apology and said that since he had not contested the contempt proceedings and threw himself at its mercy, seeking unconditional apology therefore the notice is discharged against him. The chief justice remarked, “It is a good gesture and the court appreciates it.
He also added that Altaf had respected the court and they also respected him.”However, taking notice of the derogatory letter of another MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui to the CJP, the court expressed annoyance over him and asked him how he could address a letter to the chief justice over the issue. The court also called the MQM leader Farooq Sattar on rostrum for uttering words against the judiciary in his press conference.“
Sir (I present apology) unconditionally too on their behalf as well,” Faough Naseem requested the bench, adding “We all throw ourselves to the mercy of this court.” And, the court then accepted their apologies also.Altaf Hussain, in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment on law and order situation that also included the delimitation of new constituencies in Karachi, while addressing through telephone a gathering of party workers on December 2 had criticised the judges by making uncalled for remarks and cast aspersions on the integrity of apex court judges.
He had termed the judges’ remarks in the verdict as “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic” and that they amounted to contempt for the mandate given by the people of Karachi and presented an “open enmity” for the metropolitan. The MQM chief had called on the chief justice, President Asif Ali Zardari and the federal government to take notice of the remarks, adding that constitutional action should be taken against the judges who made these comments.