- Justice Dost Mohammad says institutions should be respected
- Hashmi’s counsel apologises unconditionally after bench criticises wording of Hashmi’s apology
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its judgement in a contempt case against Senator Nehal Hashmi after the former PML-N stalwart submitted an unconditional apology for his threatening video message against “those investigating” former premier Nawaz Sharif and his family.
The Supreme Court took suo motu notice after the video, showing Hashmi making threatening remarks against the Supreme Court and the Panama case Joint Investigation Team, went viral.
Objecting to Hashmi’s apology during the hearing, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who headed the two-member bench comprising Justice Dost Mohammad Khan, said, “you were going to make our life miserable on earth [as per your speech]”, adding that “whatever you say to us is fine but you mentioned our children as well.”
Hashmi, in his reply submitted to the court, had stated: “If the court feels that I have committed contempt, I apologise.”
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked, “What does he [Hashmi] mean by ‘if’?”
At this, Hashmi’s counsel Kamran Murtaza said that he apologises unconditionally on his client’s behalf.
Justice Dost Mohammad asserted that institutions should not be ridiculed, and “if the institutions are working according to the Constitution, they should be respected”.
Justice Khosa admonished the former PML-N leader’s conduct, saying: “Nehal Hashmi is a lawyer. He should act with restraint.”
The court then directed Hashmi to submit a written reply apologising for his remarks.
Hashmi, following orders, offered the court an unconditional apology in writing and left it to the institution to decide his fate.
The court then reserved its judgement on the case.
In June last year, Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar had taken a suo motu notice of Hashmi’s outburst against the prime minister’s ‘enemies’.
The bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, came down hard on Hashmi over his controversial remarks, saying only mafias and terrorists threaten children.
“It seems that the government’s self-proclaimed spokespersons let no opportunity for maligning the courts slip by,” Justice Ejaz Afzal remarked.
“It is not our custom to bring our children into our fights,” Justice Sheikh Azmat chimed in, referring to the senator’s threats.
“It is terrorists and the mafia who do such things,” Justice Azmat said.
“In his explanation, Hashmi said, “I was fasting and would never dream of referring to judges in such a way.”
Hashmi’s party membership was suspended after the PM House came to know of this statement and he was directed to tender his resignation from the Senate.
The party authorities also issued a show cause notice to the PML-N leader and instructed Hashmi to step down from the party position of general secretary of PML-N Sindh.
Hashmi forwarded his resignation later to the Senate secretary, stating that he’s resigning due to “inevitable reasons”.
The controversy started when a video emerged of Hashmi in which he was seen threatening the prime minister’s ‘political enemies’.
Nehal Hashmi, warning those who are conducting accountability of Sharif family, said in a public rally, “We will make this land (Pakistan) narrow for you and your children. You are now in service, but will retire one day. We will not leave you then.”
“You are making the life of the prime minister difficult. The Pakistani nation will make it difficult for you to live,” he added, without taking any names.
“We are the workers of Nawaz Sharif… We will make an example of those who hold us accountable,” Hashmi can be heard saying in a video which has gone viral on social media. “We will not spare those who have held us accountable and who are making us accountable,” he continued. The video was reportedly shot as Hashmi addressing a gathering on May 28.
Hashmi also threatened Imran Khan and said, “The nation will also make this land narrow for those who live in Bani Gala.”
This man is a third rate ugly coward, not even worth a slap, Had he insulted judges in the UK, even as an old man, I would spit on his face and face the consequences. In a civilized country he will be verbally linched and ostracized by public, but Pakistan is a different place, a paradise for the mafia, crooks, thieves and money launderers.
Nihal Chand is a disgrace who should be barred from contesting elections in future.
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