SC serves contempt notice to Nehal Hashmi, compares outburst with mafia threats

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nehal Hashmi was served a contempt notice by the Supreme Court on Thursday over his controversial remarks against 'those investigating the premier'. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Wednesday had taken a suo motu notice of Hashmi's outburst against the prime minister’s ‘enemies’..

The bench formed to implement the Supreme Court's April 20 judgment in the Panama Leaks case heard the case. 

Headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, the bench gave Hashmi till Monday to file a response to the notice, and appointed the attorney general as the prosecutor in the case. 

During the hearing, Justice Ejaz remarked that they are keeping an eye on what is going on. "No one can scare us and neither are we scared of the consequences," he said further, adding that they know what to do. 

"Lot of things are being exaggerated," he observed further.

Justice Ejaz also observed that they had directed the Supreme Court registrar to nominate persons for the [Panama case] JIT. 

The bench also came down hard on Hashmi over his controversial remarks, with Justice Azmat Saeed commenting that only mafias and terrorists threaten children in the way that he [Hashmi] did.

Justice Azmat also 'congratulated' the attorney general for being part of a 'mafia' government. 

In his explanation, Hashmi said "I was fasting and would never dream of referring to judges in such a way." 

To this, the bench stated that he must submit whatever he has to say in writing on Monday. 

The judges also directed Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali to see if any criminal proceedings can be initiated against Hashmi. 

Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Hashmi said "I ask Allah for forgiveness and I ask the Supreme Court for forgiveness."

He claimed that he was talking against a particular mindset and not the judiciary, adding that "I am the biggest defender of the supremacy of the judiciary."

On Wednesday, the prime minister suspended Hashmi’s party membership and directed him to tender his resignation from the Senate, informed Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The party authorities have also issued a show cause notice to the PML-N leader and have instructed him to step down from the party position of general secretary of PML-N Sindh.

Hashmi then forwarded his resignation to the Senate secretary, citing "inevitable reasons" due to which he could not continue to further discharge his responsibilities as a senator.

The resignation will now be forwarded to the Senate chairman for approval.

The controversy

Earlier, a video emerged of a Hashmi in which he was seen threatening the prime minister’s unidentified ‘enemies’.

"The one you are investigating is the PM's son," Hashmi roared.

Without identifying who he was referring to, Hashmi said, “You will not be spared; you are in service now but remember you will retire tomorrow.”

"Those investigating us [must know] we will observe your day of judgment,” he stated further.

In the video, Hashmi also lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, casting doubts over the money trail of his Bani Gala estate. “We will reduce the space in this country for your kids and your family," he added.

However, speaking to Geo News later, Hashmi said he was referring to politicians and not anyone else.