The CDA official has asked the Islamabad High Court to accept his unconditional apology ahead of the November 12 hearing scheduled for framing contempt charges.

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Estate Zaman Wattoo has submitted a fresh unconditional apology before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in an ongoing contempt of court case.

Wattoo filed a miscellaneous application stating that his earlier response was not intended to justify his absence from court or show disrespect towards the authority and dignity of the judiciary.

In the application, he said his absence was the result of an unintentional lapse and was not deliberate. He expressed regret, placed himself at the mercy of the court and assured the IHC that he would follow all judicial orders and directions in the future.

The CDA official has requested the court to accept his apology and pass an appropriate order.

Contempt proceedings over court appearance

The case relates to an earlier hearing in which Wattoo was required to appear personally before the IHC Chief Justice. The court questioned his absence after he appeared before another bench on the same day.

The court had raised concerns over the explanation given for his absence and initiated contempt proceedings. Wattoo’s side disputed aspects of the account and maintained that his absence was not deliberate.

IHC hearing scheduled for November 12

Earlier, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar declined to accept Wattoo’s unconditional apology at that stage and directed him to appear in person on November 12.

The court had also instructed the prosecutor to prepare for the formal framing of contempt charges.

Wattoo’s fresh application seeks acceptance of his apology before the scheduled proceedings. The court’s decision on the latest request and the next step in the contempt case remain to be seen.

The matter concerns allegations and ongoing judicial proceedings. No finding of guilt or conviction has been reported.