A disciplinary committee formed by PML-N heard on Friday Senator Nehal Hashmi’s statement concerning his incendiary speech last month about 'making life difficult' for 'those behind an accountability investigation' involving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.
The five-member committee, headed by Raja Zafrul Haq, heard Hashmi's position on the issue. The committee, constituted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday, is required to compile its report recommending appropriate action against the suspended party member by June 11.
“My speech was taken out of context,” Hashmi claimed in a media statement after his session with the committee ended.
“I told the committee that my speech was 14 minutes long, out of which a small clip was shared on media and social media. My statement was misinterpreted,” he reiterated.
Claiming to have met his party members after spending eight days in ‘isolation’, Hashmi said his target had actually been Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan, not the State's institutions or a Supreme Court-sanctioned Joint Investigation Team (JIT). However, media and social media had "twisted my words", he complained.
Hashmi, in his speech, had said: "Whoever has held [the prime minister's family to account] in the past, and whoever is holding them accountable now — open your ears and hear this: we will not let you go. You are in service today; tomorrow you will retire. We will make life in Pakistan difficult for your children and for your families."