ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan granted Senator Nehal Hashmi more time to submit a reply in a case pertaining to his threatening speech, here on Friday.
The Senator was given a 11 days time to file his reply however, during today’s hearing, he told the court that he required more time to submit a reply besides requesting the court provide him with the transcript of his own statement.
Hashmi’s counsel argued that he still did not have a copy of the speech and so a reply can be submitted only if the transcript is made available. He contended that his client did not commit contempt as he did not refer to the JIT and Supreme Court in his speech.
In his remarks, Justice Ejaz outlined the delays caused by the respondent at the last two hearings, and observed that for the cause of justice one more chance was being given to the Senator. He then directed the attorney general to handover the transcript to Hashmi, which he did instantly.
The sacked stalwart pleaded with the bench to quash the criminal cases registered against him in Karachi, to which Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh replied that it was ‘not the court’s concern’.
The case was adjourned till June 23.
Nehal Hashmi’s Outrageous Speech
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Nehal Hashmi came into the limelight in May when a video surfaced in which he can be seen threatening judiciary in a veiled reference.
The video that went viral on the internet shows a disgruntled Senator Nehal warning rivals and ‘some honourable officials associated with top institutions’ of dire consequences if they continued their concerns with the accountability of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Whoever is asking for accountability will retire tomorrow and we will deal with them,” insinuated Hashmi in a veiled threat to the top judiciary currently probing the ruling Sharif family in the backdrop of Panama papers.
“Those grilling… [be warned that] we will arrange the day of judgment for you.”
“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.
Party Membership Revoked
Hashmi’s party membership was revoked on May 31 after the prime minister house took notice of his speech.
“A show-cause notice has also been issued to the senator,” said Dr Asif Kirmani, the adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs.
“We have also demanded his (Hashmi’s) resignation from Senate,” State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said, in a statement.
Later, Hashmi tendered his resignation to Chairman Senate.
