Senior politician and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said on Thursday that even though he had respect for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, he detested the way his former party had been used as the chief’s personal property.
Addressing a gathering in Multan, he welcomed former deputy mayor Multan Nadeem Qureshi into PTI ranks while unleashing scathing attacks on his former party’s leaders. The former PML-N stalwart asserted that the party was not subservient to an individual family, adding that even though Nawaz had visited London at least 40 times in the past three years, he failed to visit Multan more than a couple of times, and continued to ignore his requests.
“I rebelled against the PML-N leadership for the rights of my workers and followers in Multan. My rebellion is justified because it is to fight for the identity and privileges of my people,” he said, adding that even though he was promoted high within the ranks of the party, ultimately by ignoring his requests, the party led to the degradation of his respect in his constituency.
Commending PTI for changing the political sphere, Hashmi said the status quo had been hit by PTI’s tsunami and was worried about its growing popularity with the masses, adding that attempts to win back supporters by other parties would be in vain.
The by-election announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan for five vacant seats of the National Assembly (NA) includes four NA seats vacated by new PTI members, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Jahangir Khan Tareen and Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali. The seats are expected to be fiercely contested as the region has become a political hotbed for various parties. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is likely to arrive in Multan soon, followed by Nawaz who is due to address a rally early in February.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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Where is Tsunami? Where is Imran Khan? Why not long march? he promised that he will do long march if the electricity and gas problems will not be resolved soon, everything is there, now what Tsunami is waiting for? ....... Hashmi Sahib you will soon come back to PMLN because what IK says never does.......
Those who understand a bit of Pakistan Politics will know that Hashmi is rare breed of Pakistani Politicans who have always stood to their principal stance in face of worst of circumstances. He has taken stance against a General and against his own party leaders. I can not suggest why he joined PTI, but the stature of guy is too big to join parties without ideological reasons.
No doubt, all status quo and family parties are worried about PTI tsunami.
@Kashif Iqbal:
I smell something burning.......opss there goes Mr Sharif's paper tiger in flames
Have to agree with the great rebel Mr. Hashmi...Southern Punjab has not been much of a focus for PMLN
Those criticizing Hasmi sn should realize that this man alone was standing and staring in the face of dictator in the worst possible times for PML(N) when the Sharifs themselves ran away to Jaddah to save their lives. He lived in jails for years when Sharid's couldn't bear the burnt of 7 days jail. Its just evident, quite obviously here that how do Sharifs run their politics and what do they actually think about sincere and honest workers like Hashmi. and a big LOL at those who think those parting their ways from NS would lose. Its not the times of 2008. A lot has changed since then.
people who point fingers at javed hashmi should be ashamed of themselves Javed hashmi has rendered great sacrifices for this country. He has realized Imran Khan and pti are on the right path.
its ironic tht in hashmi's gathering chants solgans in praise of Nawaz Sharif. Soon he will realize what a big mistake he has made
Can I ask, why you served that family party for 24 years and only joined PTI after Lahore Tsunami. Sir, this dirty politics is all opportunity based and you have done the same.
hashmi, you are respected. thanks for joining PTI
He is right about Nawaz Sharif, 100% right
you will say same soon about IK and then will be better lead by shah mahmood qureshi. thanks for parting ways with PML(N) where you were respected more then you desreve.
respect to the new soldier of pti ( hashmi )