Against party wishes, Nehal Hashmi takes back resignation from Senate

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Nehal Hashmi asked the Senate chairman on Tuesday not to consider his resignation from the upper house.

Hashmi had submitted his resignation as a PML-N senator after instructions from the PML-N leadership following his recent controversial remarks against the judiciary.

As a result, Hashmi — who was also suspended from the party — had submitted his resignation to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani. On Monday, Hashmi failed to show up in Rabbani's office to personally verify his resignation, as asked by Rabbani. 

According to a written request submitted to the Senate chairman, Hashmi said he submitted his resignation amid intense pressure. Hashmi claimed that he wants to continue serving his duties as a Senator.

Confirming the development, Senator Mushahidullah Khan told the media outside the Senate on Tuesday that the party's lawmakers stand with the prime minister's decision [ordering Hashmi to resign from the Senate]. He said the party's lawmakers do not agree with Hashmi's reversal on his resignation, and urged him to follow the party leadership's guidelines on the matter. 

Opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, Khursheed Shah and Aitzaz Ahsan, slammed the move, saying it confirms their earlier statements that this [speech] was part of a game. 

Ahsan said Hashmi could never have said such things without the support of the prime minister. He also claimed that it seems the government, by creating such circumstances, will justify not heeding to any verdict of the JIT that is against it. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s Shafqat Mehmood said this is all part of a conspiracy to undermine the JIT and the Supreme Court with regards to the Panama case.

The speech

In a speech to workers in Karachi at a Youm-e-Takbeer event, which went viral on May 31, Hashmi had threatened the prime minister's unidentified 'enemies'.

Before losing his position, Hashmi was the party's general secretary for Sindh.

"The one you are investigating is the PM's son," roared Hashmi. "Those investigating us [must know] we will observe your day of judgment,” he stated further.

The statements were taken to be directed at the judiciary and the Joint Investigation Team probing the prime minister's family in light of the Supreme Court's April 20 judgment in the Panama case.

In the video, Hashmi also lashed out at PTI 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.  

Later, the prime minister suspended Hashmi’s party membership and directed him to tender his resignation from the Senate.

On June 3, the Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf also initiated action against Hashmi, asking the Sindh government to file a criminal case against Hashmi. Following this, a case was registered against him at the Bahadurabad Police Station in Karachi.

Contempt case

The Supreme Court had taken a suo motu notice of Hashmi's speech and initiated contempt of court proceedings against him.

On Monday, a three-judge bench of the apex court — headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan — asked Hashmi to submit his reply to the contempt notice. Hashmi informed the bench that he cannot submit his reply as he does not have a transcript of his speech. He then asked for time to find a counsel, to which the court agreed. 

The bench then adjourned the hearing till June 16.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Hashmi thanked the Supreme Court for listening to his plea.

Referring to the PTI, he said they [PTI] distorted my speech. “This is a criminal act as per the relevant laws,” he said, adding that [PTI Chairman] Imran Khan is the one who has committed contempt. He further claimed that his reply to the court will prove this.

The former PML-N leader also called himself a patriot. He also disclosed that he has asked the Supreme Court to perform Umrah.

While entering the court premises, answering a journalist's question of whether he will want ask for forgiveness from the Supreme Court, Hashmi said he only seeks forgiveness from Allah.