Nehal Hashmi lashes out at judiciary after release from prison

• Says NAB is the ‘most corrupt’ institution in country

• ‘If you raid NAB officials’ houses, you would find half of the country’s wealth stocked there’

RAWALPINDI: Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nehal Hashmi was released on Wednesday after completing his one-month prison sentence.

His supporters had gathered outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and showered him with rose petals when he came outside.

Talking to reporters, Hashmi said that his appeal against the decision was not heard throughout his month-long sentence.

“This is the height of oppression, this is the state of this country,” said Hashmi, visibly agitated.

The PML-N leader added: “NAB is the most corrupt institution in the country, victims of NAB are sitting in jail, people aged over 65 are in jail awaiting justice. If you raid the houses of the NAB officials, you would find half of the country’s wealth stocked there.”

He went on to question the nature of his ‘crime’, saying, “Who have I offended? Who was I disrespecting? When did I ever name the courts?”

When asked if he was ashamed of the statements that landed him in the court, he said, “Only crooks and those who lie are ashamed of what they say.”

Hashmi advised institutions to stick to their own work descriptions: “People who are taking control in their hands, those who aren’t working – please do your work, you will be accountable for it.”

He further said that he lodged an appeal the day he was disqualified for five years from holding public office and sentenced to jail, but that no hearing was ever scheduled on his plea. “The month completed, but no hearing ever could. Is this how the country is running?” he questioned.

“No man can stop me from working for democracy, and from working under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif,” he roared.

“I also want to thank the media,” he added.

Hashmi previously blamed the media for misconstruing his statements.

Police officials had arrested Hashmi from the courtroom after a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa announced the decision on February 1. Nehal Hashmi had threatened the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) appointed by the Supreme Court for interrogating Nawaz Sharif and his family members over their ownership of foreign properties.

“…Currently, you are in service, but tomorrow you will retire and we will make your life miserable,” he had said at an event in Karachi. A video of the speech went viral on social media and the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP)  Mian Saqib Nisar took suo moto notice. Hashmi, who led PML-N Karachi was summoned before the court on May 28, 2017.

“I apologise! If the court deems my remarks as committing contempt,” he said. In response, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa inquired about the use of “if” in his statement. An unconditional apology was then made by Hashmi’s counsel.

The court had reserved its decision on January 24 after Nehal Hashmi submitted an unconditional apology. The final decision was announced on February 1. He had also been disqualified from holding public office for five years.

“The institutions should not be undermined,” Justice Dost Mohammad had then asserted. The institutions should be respected, especially when working in accord with the constitution, the bench ruled.

Nehal Hashmi had also been expelled from the PML-N on the orders of Nawaz Sharif due to his violation of the party’s code of conduct.