Govt regrets SC judge's 'mafia' remarks in Nehal Hashmi case

ISLAMABAD: In what appears to be a deepening rift between the PML-N government and the judiciary, the former on Thursday issued a statement expressing 'deep sorrow and regret' over remarks by a Supreme Court judge painting the government as a 'Sicilian mafia'.

The government while expressing immense sorrow over the remarks termed it "against judicial traditions and code of ethics of the apex court".

In a statement, a federal government spokesman said the "honourable judge, without having complete knowledge of the matter, not only levelled baseless allegations against the government, but also termed action taken by the prime minister a reaction to the contempt of court notice issued to Hashmi by the Supreme Court.”

On Wednesday, a video emerged of Nehal Hashmi in which he was seen threatening the ones "investigating the prime minister's son". The video draw an outpour of anger from various corners, prompting the PM to suspend basic party membership of Hashmi, followed by his resignation from the Senate.

The controversy also moved the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar to take suo motu notice of Hashmi's outburst against the prime minister's 'enemies'.

"It is very unfortunate that, during the hearing, an honourable judge called the government a 'Sicilian mafia' and the Attorney General Pakistan its representative. [The remarks] have struck a blow to the image of Pakistan and tarnished its reputation in the world. Such baseless allegations are in violation of the judges' own oath and code of conduct," the statement read.

The spokesman said the facts are not only against this, but entire record of print and electronic media shows the government expressed its extreme displeasure as soon as remarks by Hashmi came to the fore.

The government also clarified that the remarks by the PML-N senator reflected his personal views, he added.