Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday decided to indict Senator Nehal Hashmi for contempt of court after his ‘contemptuous’ and ‘threatening’ speech against top court’s judges and members of the joint investigation team (JIT) probing Sharif family’s business dealings abroad.

A three-judge implementation bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan will indict the former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader on July 10.

The bench also rejected the reply filed by Hashmi in a suo motu notice taken by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar over Hashmi’s speech wherein he warned those investigating Sharif family of dire consequences.

Hashmi in his reply had accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan of taking his speech out of context and misguiding the court. He had replied that an out of context statement from the speech was posted on social media to harm his reputation, adding that a campaign was being carried out against him by his political rivals.

During the course of hearing, Hashmi’s counsel Advocate Hashmat Habib told the bench that his client had gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, and thus could not appear before the court. To this, the bench expressed anguish over his absence. Justice Khan observed that Nehal Hashmi should have informed the court about his intent to perform Umrah.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked that Hashmi could have gone for Umrah after taking permission from the court.

Habib contended that his client’s legal services covered a long span of 30 years and thet he was being politically victimised. The counsel also raised objection over attorney general being prosecutor in the case and said that Sindh police registered case against Hashmi on AGP’s letter.

The federation was interfering in the matters of province, he contended, adding that the action against his client was being taken under Anti-Terrorism Act. He pleaded the court to restrain the action.

The bench while declining the plea observed that it was not their job, adding that Nehal had appropriate remedies there to avail. The counsel said the court had taken suo motu notice on registrar’s note. He further said that he could file another reply after going through and examining the registrar’s note. The bench, however, warned Hashmi and observed that it was the last chance and he should appear in the next hearing.

The bench further observed that it was dissatisfied with his reply over contempt of court notice, maintaining that Hashmi’s attitude towards the case was inappropriate.

The court while rejecting his reply announced that Nehal would be indicted in contempt of court case on next date of hearing on July 10.

Published in Daily Times, June 24th, 2017.