Hashmi withdraws resignation from Senate

Nadir Guramani Published June 6, 2017

Suspended PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi on Tuesday withdrew his resignation from the Senate after a meeting with chairman Raza Rabbani, sources told DawnNews.

Hashmi had submitted his resignation after a video surfaced last week in which he lashed out at "those investigating" Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family.

In the video, the senator had warned that those conducting the investigation will be "taken to task" for grilling the premier's family. Subsequently, his party membership was suspended by the PML-N.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Hashmi's remarks and ordered the attorney general to explore what charges could be brought against him.

On Sunday, police had registered a case against Nehal Hashmi over charges of using threatening language against the judiciary and public servants, and disrupting judicial proceedings.

Hashmi has submitted a written application seeking the withdrawal of his resignation, sources told DawnNews.

Sources said that Rabbani later discussed the legal aspects of the matter with Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid in his chamber, along with senators Pervaiz Rashid and Mushahidullah Khan.

Mushahidullah, speaking to reporters outside Rabbani's chambers, said he opposed Hashmi's decision to withdraw his resignation. He added that the former PML-N leader should adhere to the party's disciplinary actions. Rashid told reporters they had urged the Senate chairman to accept Hashmi's resignation.

Sources said that Hashmi's legal team had suggested he withdraw his resignation if he wished to avoid arrest and other legal proceedings.

Pakistan

Nadir Guramani is a journalist and anchorperson for Dawn News (TV) with 17 years of experience. His reporting covers parliamentary affairs, foreign policy, politics, climate change, and human rights. He can be found on X at @nguramani.

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Imran Ahmed

Jun 06, 2017 11:35am

This man has demonstrated his criminal bent of mind and disrespect for state institutions. It would be a shame if he is allowed to continue as a Senator. Mr Raza Rabbani would be right to throw the book at him.

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Muhammad

Jun 06, 2017 11:37am

Now what will PML (N) leadership will do ?

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aleem

Jun 06, 2017 11:54am

I thought PM had asked him to resign after the incident. Seems Nawaz Sharif has changed his mind. That was expected as now PMLN will try to build a case to defend him in SC.

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SAB

Jun 06, 2017 12:10pm

The court was right in calling the ruling party the Sicilian mafia. Further in the press release in which they pointed towards swift action against Hashmi, resignation was also mentioned. This time it seems Hashmi has went against the wishes of the Prime Minister.

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Umair1991

Jun 06, 2017 12:12pm

PMLN'S U-turn

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Sami ullah swati

Jun 06, 2017 12:17pm

Nihal very behavior undemocratic to be in the senate. But to save democracy, the PPP and PMLn nexus accepts him to continue as a scaremonger crow in the national legislative power house!

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Hafeez, Canada

Jun 06, 2017 12:23pm

This is called TOPI drama. Our current leadership has lost all credibility to rule.

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imdadali

Jun 06, 2017 12:32pm

If hashmi withdraw his resignation, it mean some one behind it, who dictate it on behalf of party big wigs.

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ali

Jun 06, 2017 12:36pm

LAST SENTENCE SUMS IT UP!!! THis is exactly why Nawaz isn't going to resign because he knows once he resigns he is doomed and will face legal actions. Imran khan was right all about these thugs. Ya Rab make Pakistan win this time, please.

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Faraz

Jun 06, 2017 12:41pm

How very convenient, Mr. Hashmi!

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syed wasim haider

Jun 06, 2017 01:12pm

As expected;financial loss always overcome principles in Pakistan.

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SAAF GO

Jun 06, 2017 01:12pm

He does not deserve to be a Senator. He should better have resigned.

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Mahussain

Jun 06, 2017 01:13pm

Why courts are afraid of a poor advocate..If court involves itself in politics,then they should be ready to face music. They cannot expect respect,once they become a party. Politics is a dirty game.

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javed

Jun 06, 2017 01:20pm

Shameless is the first rule of politics. I don't think it is the role of the chairman to counsel members, like misbehaving children.

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Friend of a friend

Jun 06, 2017 01:27pm

But yet another PML(Senator) Mushahidullah does not approve Nehal Hashmi withdrawal,and says it's against party discipline. People wander whether the incendiaries he spelt out earlier were in accordance to 'party discipline '. Leaders,legislators,must be disciplined and man of principles please.

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Iqbal A. Malik

Jun 06, 2017 01:41pm

@aleem PML-N is again doing this drama. They think this nation is full of fools. As a matter of fact, most of us are fools.

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WOW

Jun 06, 2017 01:42pm

What a joke. The guy threatens the hell out of anyone who asks for investigation against PM inc SC and still keeps his parliamentarian seat. What a mess this country is under these cronies. Well done smart people of Pakistan, keep voting for these hooligans and let rest of the world move on.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Jun 06, 2017 01:46pm

All staged drama.

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Shahid

Jun 06, 2017 01:55pm

If his party really has terminated his basic membership on whose basis he was a senator, now that he is no more member of that party, can he legally still remain in Senate? Besides his outburst and consequences stemming from it for himself, he has put his party in a bad situation too. If he does not quit himself, in partys's best interest the party head should force his ouster.

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irfan

Jun 06, 2017 02:03pm

I thought N-league has distanced himself by removing this man from the party. If he is not in the party, how come he is the member of senate ? or this is again a new drama.

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Dr. Doctor

Jun 06, 2017 02:12pm

Expected change of heart; but there's nothing wrong with it! Initial immediate resignation was a requirement of the hour for damage control and it was rightly played by PMLN and the Premier. Also, at that time, Hashmi didn't know how harsh would the Supreme Court will treat him! Now, after facing the Supreme Court once, he has calculated that there is some room and leeway and some wiggle room, consequently he will do everything that he can to save his career (both political and otherwise). He has every right to do so and should fight till the end. His lawyers are also correct; without a plea for withdrawal of resignation he cannot proceed defending himself fully. Let him have his day in court. That's his legal right. We need to let law takes it course in all legal affairs and only then will the country prosper.

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Aslam Khan

Jun 06, 2017 02:24pm

Looks like this is a planned conspiracy of PLM (N) as he is being advised so.

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Sameer

Jun 06, 2017 02:26pm

As evident, PPP to PMLNs rescue. If only they were this united for the country and not political gains. Short version: Raza Rabbani advises Nehal to take back his resignation so that the police cannot arrest you.different laws for a senator and a common man.

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Taimoor khan

Jun 06, 2017 02:29pm

"Sources said that Hashmi's legal team had suggested he withdraw his resignation if he wished to avoid arrest and other legal proceedings." Does our law allow a sitting Senator to act in this threatening manner and get away from prosecution, just becuase he/she is a senator? What kind of laws we got?

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NACParis

Jun 06, 2017 03:23pm

No all is clear and transparent who was behind his initial statement.

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muhammad qasim

Jun 06, 2017 03:28pm

@aleem PMLN can't force him for resignation. If he was minister and PM asked him for resignation then he is forced out of ministership, however PM can't force out a MNA or a Senator.

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Yawar

Jun 06, 2017 03:40pm

You cannot fool all the people all the time.

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charlie

Jun 06, 2017 04:05pm

"Legal aspects of the matter" - the case is fairly clear. An elected representative of the government, threatening another organ of the government with consequences when they are trying to do their job. In another civilized country, this won't happen in the first place, and if it did, it would create a media uproar that the person wouldn't be able to survive. But this is Pakistan - everything is upside down here.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 06, 2017 04:06pm

What else can he do to save his skin and possible imprisonment?

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Jun 06, 2017 04:19pm

These people have no dignity, no honour and no self-respect.

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optimist rajput

Jun 06, 2017 04:21pm

And he is our senator. just wow

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Sahmad

Jun 06, 2017 04:28pm

@Dr. Doctor until we have analysts like you. N league/PPP will remain in power.

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m.sattar.

Jun 06, 2017 04:29pm

The word resignation does not exist in the Pakistani vocabulary.

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Khanm

Jun 06, 2017 04:30pm

What a drama..politics is the best drama lately for Pakistanis ...Conflict is drama, and how people deal with conflict shows you the kind of people they are.

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Iftikhar Husain

Jun 06, 2017 04:32pm

It is obvious that the PMLN senator is not happy with the investigation going on the PM.

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M. Siddique

Jun 06, 2017 04:36pm

Being a senator he does not have immunity from prosecution. Government will not push for prosecution, so Supreme Court has to take the case to logical conclusion. He should be jailed.

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M. Siddique

Jun 06, 2017 04:37pm

@Muhammad, PML(N) leadership will just look the other way as if nothing happened.

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Aamir Latif

Jun 06, 2017 05:01pm

Should not be allowed to take resignation back. It will be disgrace to PMLN if he is allowed to do.

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Shakeel Ahmed

Jun 06, 2017 05:03pm

Clearly PML-N know that he will be on trial for his threatening remarks and will end up in jail. After which PML-N will claim political martyrdom. Good for the next election campaign.

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Faisal Khan

Jun 06, 2017 05:06pm

This shows the democratic mindset of our current legislators. We definitely need to have a new entrant as PPP and PMLN have failed miserably

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Habib

Jun 06, 2017 05:07pm

@aleem This means whatever was said were the words of Nawaz Sharif. This guy should be put behind bars and banned for life, so nobody in future dare to threaten the honest officers our our beloved nation.

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Khurram

Jun 06, 2017 05:42pm

This guy is threatening like hell. If there's democracy, then how such kind of people are getting elected.

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AHAQ

Jun 06, 2017 06:05pm

Non sense to support him by Rabbani and PML-N. This man should be barred from participating in political activity

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Ali

Jun 06, 2017 06:30pm

Senator Nehal Hashmi should stop playing games and wasting nation's time. His shocking outburst and threats to Supreme Court and JIT was seen by everyone on TV. Therefore he must be sent to jail. His resigning or not resigning from the Senate or his political party is irrelevant. No politician can be above the law.

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Iqbal HADI ZAIDI

Jun 06, 2017 06:33pm

What about part two- to punish those who initiated Panama against PM Nawaz? Has he withdrawn that also like resignation is my question? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmail.com

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Shahji

Jun 06, 2017 07:09pm

@Imran Ahmed Excuse me , what is criminal mind .He does not have any criminal background. He is just another "Jazbaati Political Worker". Like PPP Jiyalay doing "Khudsuzi" ,Like PTI workers attacking PTV. Like opponents workers being killed in a clash, while the leaders are having parties together to make a grand alliance. Since his own party has dumped him in water ,He is trying to get anything to save him .

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Salma

Jun 06, 2017 08:00pm

All N needs to do is terminate NH's party membership and he's auto disqualified for Senate

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Alba

Jun 06, 2017 08:29pm

All Talk.

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Dr. Doctor

Jun 06, 2017 08:38pm

@Sahmad You should've written 'till' not 'until'. Like my response is, "Till we have people like you who will prevent due course to every citizen regardless of his political/social status, we cannot develop as a successful nation". Please note that if you don't give him his rights he will seek sympathy in the future and our emotional people will grant it. Who will you blame then? People like me or you?!!!! Provide him justice since he has every right, just like you and me!

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