ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said on Friday that the Supreme Court demonstrated immense patience in the case of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nehal Hashmi.

While speaking on Geo News show Naya Pakistan on Friday, the former chief justice said Hashmi exceeded all limits in his speech during which he gave incendiary remarks regarding ?those investigating? the Panama case against the Sharif family.

But the apex court had a principle in which it tried not to readily get anyone behind the bars, Iftikhar Chaudhry added.

He said the court would instead issue a contempt of court notice in order to alert the person on what the consequences of their acts could be.

Hashmi was issued a contempt of court notice in July 2017, a verdict on which was announced months later, on February 1.

According to the former chief justice, a remedy was available to help one out of such situations. ?If the person [concerned] files an appeal, they would get relief,? Iftikhar Chaudhry said, adding the only purpose is ?to teach a lesson?.

When asked what comprised an expletive when speaking about contempt of court, the former chief justice said it did not only mean using abusing language. An insulting remark or gesture would also fit the definition of an expletive in this case, he added.

About Supreme Court?s disqualification of Hashmi, Iftikhar Chaudhry said when such remarks are made against an institution then the latter would have to show its authority.

The PML-N leader landed in hot water after his video message surfaced last year, in which he warned that those investigating the Panama case would be ?taken to task? for grilling the former prime minister?s family.

The apex court took notice of Hashmi?s speech on May 31. During one of the hearings, the court also likened the government to Sicilian mafia.

In June, a case was registered against Hashmi under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. The case was filed in Karachi as the speech was made in the city.