Supreme Court Hears May 9 Cases: “Don’t Fear Jail, It Makes Politicians Leaders,” Justice Hashim Tells Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD – During the Supreme Court hearing on the May 9 cases, Justice Hashim Kakar told former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry not to fear imprisonment, remarking that “jail makes politicians into leaders” and that he should not worry as he is “in safe hands.”
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Hashim Kakar, was hearing Fawad Chaudhry’s petition challenging multiple cases filed against him in relation to the May 9 incidents. Chaudhry argued that the Lahore High Court had raised objections on his plea without providing sufficient reasoning, and that the appellate bench had upheld those objections without addressing the core issues.
Justice Kakar criticized the Lahore High Court’s handling of the case, stating, “The order from the High Court seems more like a royal decree than a judicial decision.”
Fawad Chaudhry informed the court that he had spent seven months in jail after May 9, and that 35 cases had been registered against him in various cities including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. He explained that these cases primarily relate to aiding and abetting charges, and that an objection had been raised that he could not file a petition at the principal seat of the High Court while branch registries were available.
During the proceedings, when the prosecution objected to Chaudhry’s petition, Justice Kakar asked, “If the High Court gives a well-reasoned verdict, what issue does the prosecution have?”
Fawad Chaudhry interjected that the prosecutor was becoming needlessly emotional, prompting Justice Kakar to repeat, “You are a politician. Don’t fear jail. Jail makes politicians into leaders. Don’t worry, you are in safe hands.” Chaudhry responded, “I’ve been to jail before, I can go again.”
Referring to a previous case involving TV personality Shaista Lodhi, Justice Kakar noted that 85 cases had been filed over a video clip, of which he had dismissed 84 in Quetta.
He emphasized that the principal seat of the High Court retains its jurisdiction and that regional benches are established merely for the convenience of the public.
The Supreme Court has adjourned further hearing of the case until Tuesday.