The Supreme Court on Monday gave PML-N Senator Nehal Hashmi until June 16 to submit his reply to the apex court's suo moto notice regarding his threatening remarks against "those investigating" Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

A recently-surfaced video had showed Hashmi apparently warning the individuals conducting a Supreme Court-sanctioned investigation that they will be "taken to task" for grilling the premier's family.

His remarks were, prima facie, directed at the Supreme Court-appointed joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Sharif family's business dealings abroad.

Hours after the senator's incendiary remarks made national headlines, DawnNews reported that Hashmi's membership of the PML-N had been suspended and a show-cause notice issued to him.

Subsequently, he also resigned from his seat in the Senate; however, the resignation has yet to take effect. Hashmi failed to show up in a meeting with the Senate chairman earlier the same day for formalities in this regard, citing a host of reasons.

During Monday's hearing, Hashmi, in his defence, said that he has been struggling for the supremacy of law for the last three decades. "I also participated in the Lawyers' Movement," he added.

"We know that you have worked for supremacy of law and you will be provided enough time to submit your reply," Justice Ijazul Ahsan said in response.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who was chairing the three-member bench, initially set June 15 as the date for the next hearing, but Hashmi excused himself saying he had plans for iftar on that day.

Instead, Hashmi asked for the hearing to be fixed after Eid, saying he did not have a copy of his speech and asking the court to show his video in the courtroom instead.

Justice Ahsan responded to Hashmi saying that Hashmi did not seem to be taking the case seriously enough, and suggested that this was a serious matter that Hashmi should not be taking so lightly.

However, the court relented and moved the hearing date to June 16.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.