Nehal leaves himself at mercy of court

The Supreme Court on Monday summoned vice-chairman Pakistan Bar Counsel to suggest a sentence for Nehal Hashmi, former senator of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, for openly abusing and ridiculing the judges of the superior judiciary.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the second contempt of court case against Hashmi. The PML-N leader after his release from Adiala Jail in another contempt of court case, while talking to the lawyers in Rawalpindi had used derogatory remarks against judges. The video of Hashmi's talk went viral.
The video in which Hashmi had abused the judges was played in the courtroom. After watching the clip, the Chief Justice inquired from Hashmi whom he had abused. The PML-N leader said he did not use those words for the judges, adding, "I leave myself at the mercy of the court."
The Chief Justice then asked Hashmi if he could use those words for himself. The Chief Justice inquired, "Why are you telling a lie and still have no remorse," adding by telling a lie he got admitted in the hospital. "We are also aware of the meeting in the jails," Justice Saqib said and added judges are never personalized in issuing contempt notices "but in this matter the judges have been called corrupt and abused. How dare you use such words?"
The Chief Justice said senior lawyers should give suggestions for awarding a sentence to Hashmi in this case. He said whatever they would propose the court would act upon it. The Chief Justice said if the next day his own son is caught while committing something wrong then he would ask the lawyers to decide his fate as well.
Addressing Rasheed A Rizvi, the Chief Justice said the apex court was ridiculed. Calling senior counsel at the rostrum the Chief Justice said now he would see the justice of lawyers. "Rasheed A Rizvi we will see your justice."
The former president SCBA said it is very difficult for him to defend such abuses. "We have struggled for the supremacy of this [SC] institution. We did not use such words even for the PCO judges," he added.
Hashmi said he left himself at the mercy of the court. The Chief Justice asked Hashmi if the language he had used deserves any mercy, adding, "You have abused the judges."
The case was adjourned until today (Tuesday).
Meanwhile, a three-judge bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed hearing contempt of court petition against Federal Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz directed Additional Attorney General to provide the list of witnesses and documents to Daniyal's counsel.
On the next hearing (Friday), the witnesses will record their statements and the defense counsel would cross-examine them.