- Ex-Senator pleads for screening video of his speech in courtroom
- Justice Ahsan says ex-PML-N leader to be provided enough time to submit his reply
The Supreme Court on Monday directed former lawmaker Nehal Hashmi to submit his response to his controversial remarks till June 16.
A three-member special bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the case. During the proceedings, Hashmi appeared before the court and informed that he has been struggling for the supremacy of law for the last three decades.
“I also participated in the lawyers’ movement,” he said. Justice Ahsan remarked that the court knew that he had worked for the supremacy of law and he would be provided enough time to submit his reply. Hashmi said that he had not received the transcript of his speech and pleaded the court to grant him time to submit his reply.
He also pleaded before the court for screening the video of his speech in the court room to which Justice Ahsan remarked that there was no need to do that. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till June 16. Talking to media outside the Supreme Court after hearing of the case, Hashmi expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for listening to his plea.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) distorted his speech, claiming his reply to the court will prove it. Hashmi had resigned from Senate hours after a video surfaced last week, showing him lashing out at those investigating the ruling family.
Hours after the senator’s remarks made national headlines, Hashmi’s membership of the PML-N had been suspended and a show-cause notice issued to him. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar also took suo motu notice of his remarks and summoned him in person on Thursday to appear before the bench implementing its Panama Papers verdict.
