Makhdoom Javed Hashmi joins Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf

Former PML (N) LEADER, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, joined the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) on Saturday, December 24^th, 2011.

Before Hashmi left for Multan airport, PML-N workers blocked the road outside his house to prevent him from going. The workers chanted slogans and expressed unity with the party and the senior leader.

However, Hashmi managed to reach the airport to catch his flight for Karachi.

Hashmi said Imran’s party could bring about a big change in the country.

"I also long for a change, and that’s exactly what I was up to now", he said, adding he never practised the "politics of/for power", rather "politics of/for people". Hashmi, a firebrand leader, said that he was not considering
joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf for securing a "commanding position" or a "prominent portfolio".

To a question regarding his party’s reaction on his decision, a disillusioned Hashmi said that he had conveyed his reservations to the party leadership.

Local media reported that PML N leaders like Saad Rafiq and Ahsan Iqbal were still trying to convince Hashmi to remain in the party, but had so far failed to do so.

Hashmi was one of key faces of PML-N during the tenure of President Pervez Musharraf and served as main opposition leader when Sharif brothers and their families went into exile to Saudi Arabia after a secret deal with the military
regime.

An elected member of National Assembly, he was sent to jail several times for his outspoken views but earned respect for not compromising on principles despite his poor health.

Of late Hashmi was said to be disgruntled with policies of PML-N, particularly after Sharif ignored him and appointed Chaudhary Nisar as main opposition leader in Parliament.

Political analysts say Hashmi’s joining of Imran’s party is a major blow to the PML N in the southern belt of Punjab where he commands great respect. However, they also call it a major political victory for Imran.

Hashmi’s defection may cost PML-N 12 members of National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, and at least eight of Punjab Assembly, claimed sources close to Imran Khan’s party.

A source close to Imran said here that all negotiations with Hashmi were conducted by Imran personally.

Imran only said that "you will hear good news tomorrow."

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=7235

Posted by Muhammad Basit Khan on Dec 24 2011. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry