Bad mouthing the judiciary might be an act shameful in other countries but as far as our ruling elite and especially the PMLN is concerned it is an art, dexterity and mastery of the politics and Mr Nehal Hashmi has proved his acumen to serve the master at any cost.
The fact adds salt to the injury that the gentleman is not only a Senator, he is also a lawyer. Now a Senator and a lawyer says:
- “We will make this land (Pakistan) narrow for you and your children. You are now in service, but will retire one day. We will not leave you then.”
- “You are making the life of the prime minister difficult. The Pakistani nation will make it difficult for you to live”
- “We are the workers of Nawaz Sharif… We will make an example of those who hold us accountable”
- “We will not spare those who have held us accountable and who are making us accountable.”
Now the question is: is there any law of the land that can place this man in the dock? Apparently he has violated many provisions of the law. He has committed contempt of court. He has threatened judges and their families, he has stopped public servants from doing their lawful functions, and he is no more qualified to be the member of the parliament as per the requirements of Article 62 and 63.
Article 19 of the constitution has laid down the fundamentals of freedom of speech wherein it is stated that
“Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.”
Law should take its course. Pakistan is not a fiefdom of House of Sharifs. It is a democratic country and has its own constitution. No servant is allowed to commit the contempt of court to appease his master.