SC issues another contempt notice to Nehal Hashmi

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday issued another contempt notice to PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi for using abusive language against the judges of the apex court after his release in February.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, issued a show cause notice to Nehal Hashmi after rejecting his repeated apology but gave a favour by not suspending his law practicing licence till the view point of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the apex body of legal fraternity.

The apex court issued notices to the Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman as well as the provincial bar associations’ representatives to assist it as to whether in the present circumstances, Nehal Hasmi is entitled or not to remain as lawyer and continue his practice in response of his abusive language, he had used against the judiciary.

The SC after issuing another contempt notice to Nehal Hashmi asked him to file his reply by Saturday and directed the PBC VC as well as representatives of bar associations to appear before it on Monday, March 12.

The court summoned Nehal Hasmi the other day while hearing his intra court appeal and observed as to why the sentence of Hashmi not further enhanced and order for registering an FIR against him.

Last month, a three-member SC bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, had rejected unconditional apology, tendered by Nehal Hasmi in contempt of court case and sentenced him for one month in jail and disqualified for five years for ridiculing and threatening the judges and JIT members.

Hashmi after releasing from jail had used abusive language against the judges before media. In pursuance of the court other day’s order, PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi appeared before the court and repeatedly tendered apology before the court and contended that he would never think of disrespecting the judiciary and court.

During the course of hearing, a video clip of Nehal Hashmi was played in the courtroom wherein Hashmi was using abusive language against the judges. Hashmi, however, denied the video saying he was just acting in the video and repeating the words of people who were saying in the jail and were criticising the whole system

“Are you an actor also”, Justice Ijazul Ahsen, a member of the bench, asked Nehal Hashmi. “I am ashamed very much, and Allah also gives one opportunity then your lordship should also give me one opportunity,” Hashmi was pleaded .

Let’s suspend your law practicing licence,” the CJP said. “Sir, please, my children will die of starvation, and my whole family will be destroyed,” Hashmi replied.

“If my licence was suspended, how I would be able to pay the fee of my children, and how I would pay the utility bills,” Hashmi pleaded. The chief justice, however, in response, told Hashmi that the people on whose behalf he was abusing the judiciary and judges would provide him the money.

Kamran Murtaza, the counsel for Nehal Hashmi pleaded before the court that it is a matter of great shame for him as well as for his community. He requested the court to pardon his client, but the court rejected the pleas of both Nehal Hashmi and Kamran Murtaza.

Later, when the court was dictating the order, Kamran Murtaza told the court that in view of abusive language, used by Nehal Hashmi against the judiciary and hudges, he was withdrawing as counsel of Nehal Hashmi. The court adjourned further proceeding until March 12.