![we will prefer to sit on the opposition benches instead of getting into political horse trading for the sake of power says hashmi photo express file we will prefer to sit on the opposition benches instead of getting into political horse trading for the sake of power says hashmi photo express file](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/543393-MakhdoomJavedHashmiEXPRESS-1367454574/543393-MakhdoomJavedHashmiEXPRESS-1367454574.jpg)
Sipping tea in a dhabba in the heart of Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President Javed Hashmi says Imran Khan’s slogan of change has already won the hearts of the nation. What remains now is to win the elections, and the baghi is confident on that front as well. “PTI will clean sweep the 2013 general elections – Inshallah,” he said.
But what if it doesn’t?
“We will prefer to sit on the opposition benches instead of getting into political horse-trading for the sake of power,” said Hashmi, in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune.
He said there was no possibility of an alliance with ‘traditional’ political parties like Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in order to form the next government.
A veteran of many elections, Hashmi now spends most of his time being driven around in his black Land Cruiser as he goes door to door along with PTI leader Wasim Shahzad. To him, one of the best parts of this campaign has been the injection of young blood into mainstream politics; something he says has been a great experience after decades of traditional rough-and-tumble constituency politics.
After having previously declared his unwillingness to be part of the federal cabinet if his party were voted to power, Hashmi also announced that he would not accept the offices of president or prime minister were they to be offered to him.
Though he is confident of his electoral chances, the scion of Multan faces stiff opposition on both seats: NA-48 (Islamabad) and NA-149 (Multan). In NA-48, which may prove a litmus test for the senior PTI leader, he will face two previous winners - Mian Aslam of Jamaat-e-Islami and Anjum Aqeel Khan of PML-N - in addition to the PPP’s new entrant Faisal Sakhi Butt.
In Hashmi’s home constituency of NA-149 (Multan), the PTI president will face his old rival Malik Liaqat Ali Dogar of PPP in addition to Liaqat Baloch of Jamaat-e-Islami and the PML-N’s Shaikh Mushammad Tariq.
Hashmi, who joined PTI in December 2011, said his party believes in the Islamic ideology and will continue to promote the idea “come what may.” As an influential figure in Pakistan’s politics, Hashmi, who had won three NA seats in the 2008 general elections, said his party and its workers had given a wake-up call to major political parties by fielding over 800 candidates across the country.
“It’s our turn now, we have introduced a new democratic concept in Pakistan’s politics,” said Hashmi.
Admitting that the PPP had always held the trump card of democracy before, Hashmi said that change has come. “This time PTI has changed the mindset of over 86 million voters. Our party will introduce a new political culture in the country based on merit and equality where there would be no room for corrupt and crooked politicians, he added.
Battle-hardened and boasting strong anti-establishment credentials, the PTI leader said that if his party sought support from other political parties to form the next government it would be the only mistake of Imran Khan’s entire political career.
Conceding that only 20 per cent of his party’s candidates were ‘electable’ contenders, Hashmi said that it was clear that PTI had planted a new breed of politicians by not running after ‘dishonest’ electable candidates.
Admitting that he felt pleased when he saw former army chief Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf under house arrest, Hashmi stressed that military interference in elections was unacceptable under any circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (16)
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@adnan:
Pls also give some funds to Naya Paksitan as Vote is not going to bring the complete change
@Roni:
Pls stop complaining, you should know that what ever you do in your past will be washed away once you join the Saintly leadershiop of Great Khan. However, sins of all politicians not joining khan would never be forgiven and they will always be labeled as corrupt etc etc.
I welcome you in PTI - I hope you have learnt by know how to hate rest of the Pakistanis,not supporting PTI
The threat within can be balanced out with the tsunami change on election day.My vote is against status qou parties. Can PML(N) deny the fact that the family (ltd) led party has always been and will always be one of the leading status qou parties in Pakistan?
I smell these PML(N) people are too jealous of PTI
People please understand joining PTI or being accepted by PTI (as some of you say) does not change a person. I may sound bitter but it will take some time for me to trust these politicians. I would not be surprised that he leaves party down the road using a "genuine reason" for his own benefits. Imran Khan acceptance does not give them a clean slate.
Baghi the great. Vote 4 change. Vote 4 naya pakistan.
One upon time my whole family was in PPP and now they are in PTI. My humble request to all my Pakistani is to convince your family members, friends and many more to join the caravan of Change.
We would vote IK
Inshallah Hashmi you party will win majority. Vote for … Fairness, a ubiquitous and free healthcare system, a country with free Education at its heart, Schools we can be proud of, the end of the “War on Terror”, New Jobs, Local Government, Fair and Consistent taxation across the divide, the end of Nepotism, Low Inflation, the end of corruption, equality for our minorities, efficient public utilities such as Gas and Electric, the end of vested interests, a Police and Judiciary working to serve and protect the public, good relations with all our neighbours, investment in transport infrastructure, someone who cares about Pakistan. Come May 11, vote for Imran Khan’s PTI ….
sir my family vote is for PTI. Inshallah we all will witness Naya Pakistan.
"Sipping tea in a dhabba in the heart of Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President Javed Hashmi says Imran Khan’s slogan of change has already won the hearts of the nation." Of course you have won the hearts of even Taliban, that is why you can openly sit and sip tea while the opponents of Taliban and yours as well are busy picking up dead bodies. He talks about sitting in opposition, to fool naive youngsters. Hashmi came to power while joining Gen Zia;s cabinet. He remained a top leader and office bearer of Zia's remnants PML-N. When he did not get preference he smelled power and jumped to another rightwing party close to strategic assets. With his past he better be quiet.
I love this man. However corrupt he was is in the past. PTI has proved itself and I'm a convinced voter of PTI now. Long live Pakistan!
Im glad that senior PTI leadership, including Imran Khan have voiced for Islamic ideology, on which others are holding back, to not to annoy their foreign mentors. INSHALLAH, my country is destined to rise under leadership of Imran Khan. There is no doubt in what Imran Khan says, that in the recorded history of the world, it never happened that those who destroyed, later re-bulit. Moreover; Javed Hashmi is certain to win both NA seats he is contesting
It will be a great achievement if PTI wins more seats than Independents.
I sincerely hope that Javed Hashmi wins the election from Islamabad since reports are emerging that the banned outfit ASWJ has decided to provided full backing to PMLN representative Anjum Aqeel in Islamabad. An ASWJ facilitated win by PMLN could prove to be a disaster in the long run.
Islamic Republic Of Pakistan again turning point of its history Elections! yes Pakistanis must vote but 'il faut que mon vote soit utile' vote must be useful peoples must give chance to new ones with good program and honest we pray for the successful and peaceful Elections Ameen Long Live Ir Pakistan Zindabad