News Analysis |
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nehal Hashmi on March 26, 2018 has demanded forgiveness for his recent inflammatory remarks against the apex court. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) asked Hashmi, would you use the same words for yourself and call yourself the ‘son of the dog’.
The beleaguered leader faced the brunt of the questions of the CJP in the wake of abusive language used against the judges by him. CJP said, “You called the judges ‘corrupt’ and ‘sons of dogs’,” How dare you call us sons of the dogs? In reply to these accusations, Hashmi remained firm and rebutted that he can recite the kalima Pak and profess that he never addressed the judiciary in such words.
CJP remarked, we are considering cancellation of his license, and if he ever used such abusive language and insulting remarks again, he will not be spared at all. The top judge also showed surprise that a practicing lawyer at Bar could use such a derogatory language. He also accused Hashmi of showing no remorse and lying in the court and not confessing to have hurled abuses at judges.
Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) decided to indict State Interior Minister Tallal Chaudry in a contempt of court case on March 14, over of contemptuous statements against the judiciary in a public gathering in Jarranwala in January.
When the court proceedings started, the video clip of the PML-N leader’s containing the latest contentious remarks against the judges were played. On Hashmi’s plea to show leniency, CJP replied that how can you ask for forgiveness, if you had any shame, you would drown in it.
Though, Hashmi confessed shame and disgust over his controversial statements and argued that he leaves himself at the mercy of the court to which CJP asked, do you deserve any kind of mercy. To which, Hashmi replied, I confess my shame. Though, it was believed that court will indict Hashmi, but the court adjourned the proceedings till tomorrow.
Read more: Nehal Hashmi released from jail, declares NAB the most corrupt institute
On May 28, when Panama case against Nawaz was underway. Hashmi apparently in a predesigned incendiary speech in a private gathering, threatening top judiciary of dire consequences of their actions [against Nawaz] and called them the enemies of the PM. Following his insulting speech, on May 31, the CJP took a suo moto notice of the issue and summoned Hashmi.
PML-N attempted to cool down the issues and expelled Hashmi from their party on June 12, 2017. After disqualification, Nawaz kick-started his anti-judiciary campaign and in his post disqualification strategy he along with his loyalists publically bashed Supreme Court’s July 28, 2017, decision to disqualify him and opted for confrontational approach and pitted the institution against each other after building a momentum during his visit across the country to apparently play victim card over his ousting.
CJP remarked, we are considering cancellation of his license, and if he ever used such abusive language and insulting remarks again, he will not be spared at all. The top judge also showed surprise that a practicing lawyer at Bar could use such a derogatory language.
Calls for contempt proceedings against Father-daughter duo grew over time for using the same language against apex courts. Court also opened contempt proceedings against PML-N leader and Minister for Privatisation Daniyal Aziz over his allegedly contemptuous statements on different television talk shows and indicted him. Moreover, Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) decided to indict State Interior Minister Tallal Chaudry in a contempt of court case on March 14, over of contemptuous statements against the judiciary in a public gathering in Jarranwala in January.
SC rejected his unconditional apology on January 24 and on February 1, a three-member bench of SC headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa sentenced Senator Nehal Hashmi for a month and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him after his verbal tirade and blatant threats where he targeted judiciary, defamed and ridiculed the apex court.
Read more: Senator Nehal Hashmi punished for contempt of court by SC
Meanwhile, despite expelling Hashmi from the part, PML-N leadership continued its attack on the judiciary. It ran apparently a thought out campaign against the apex court. And along with Maryam he slammed the judiciary and reminded them again and again that it was the PCO judges and doctrines of necessity which damaged the democracy and caused irreparable damage to the country’s prospects.
On February 28, Hashmi started another tirade against judiciary after his release from Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. On March 7 SC again issued a fresh contempt of court notice to Hashmi. It appears that house of Nawaz along with its aides is working on agenda to malign the court and gather popular support against judiciary using victim card. Hashmi’s earlier release encouraged the other PML-N leaders to continue its tirade against the judiciary, expecting no serious charges.
Nawaz has been successful in his strategy and held massive rallies across Pakistan, and demonstrating street power, convincing people of their victimhood. It appears as Nawaz is hoping to draw attention through a contempt of court charge, to divert attention from more accountability court cases expecting an unfavorable decision.