SC accepts Nehal Hashmi's unconditional apology in contempt case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday accepted a unconditional written apology from former senator Nehal Hashmi and dismissed further contempt of court proceedings against him.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing contempt of court proceedings against Hashmi for his slanderous speeches against the judiciary.

During the proceedings, Justice Nisar told Hashmi to submit an unconditional apology as it would be unfair for his children to suffer from his consequences, and he would be forgiven if the apology is considered satisfactory.

The PML-leader submitted an apology letter maintaining that he regrets his behaviour, and there would be no complaints of any sort on his conduct in the future.

“… I am highly regretful of my unbecoming conduct and submit my un-conditional apology, and so place myself at the mercy of this Hon’ble Court for forgiveness,” said Hashmi.

“I solemnly assure and undertake that I will not give any cause of complaint of any sort in future to the honourable courts in respect of my conduct.”

Hashmi said that he was ashamed of his behaviour, and requested to exercise forgiveness and drop contempt of court proceedings against him.

“In the future, I will try to be careful even in the privacy of my home. I will make an effort to not utter words that offend others even inside my car,” Hashmi earlier told the court.

The court adjourned the hearing before accepting Hashmi’s apology, and withdrew the contempt of court notice against him.

The is the second time Hashmi was facing contempt charges. He was earlier sentenced to one month in prison with Rs 50,000 fine and sent to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on similar charges on February 1. He was also disqualified as senator and barred for five years.

The apex court had taken notice of his outburst on May 28 last year in which he appears to threaten members the judiciary for probing ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members.