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LAHORE: A local court in Lahore has directed Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar to appear in person or depute a representative to the court to pardon PTI MPA Nazir Chohan in the courtroom.
The development came hours after disgruntled PTI leader apologised for “mistakenly” questioning faith of the premier’s aide. During the hearing today (Tuesday), the court issued notice to Akbar and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for a hearing scheduled tomorrow (August 4).
MPA Chohan, member of disgruntled Jahangir Tareen group, had levelled allegations about Akbar’s faith in a TV talk show and demanded that the latter should resign from the office of adviser to the prime minister.
Chohan was later arrested on July 27 on Akbar’s complaint — registered in May — under sections 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 298 (making statements with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) and 153 (provoking to cause riot) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
On July 31, PTI MPA Chohan tendered an apology for his remarks via a video message from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) where he was taken after developing heart problems.
In addition, he also issued a written apology today, saying he had sought pardon for his mistake of alleging faith of the premier’s adviser. “I will not give any statement to hurt feelings and reputation of Shahzad Akbar in future,” he added.
Explaining that he had no right to call anyone `kafir’ (infidel), Chohan apologised to Akbar for hurting his religious beliefs and prayed that he (Akbar) and his family stay blessed.
In response, the premier’s aide Akbar, through an affidavit, accepted the apology and said he had no objection to his release.
