Azadi’ March was supposed to destroy prevailing system: Hashmi

MULTAN: Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) president Javed Hashmi said on Thursday that the purpose of the ongoing ‘Azadi’ March was to destroy the existing political system, and was being directed by a ‘third force’ from the off.

While addressing a press conference in Multan, the Hashmi claimed that a ‘third force’ was steering the ‘Azadi’ March when it departed Lahore for Islamabad, adding that its objective was the destruction of the entire political system prevailing in the country.

“The plan was to get 10 people killed so that the government could be forced to step down.”

He said the slogan ‘Go Nawaz Go’ was wrong. “Imran Khan praises Nawaz Sharif every night with his ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan.”Hashmi warned that both Imran and Qadri could trigger a civil war in the country, and that the government had shown restraint by not resorting to violence. He requested both the protesting parties to end their sit-ins for the sake of Pakistan.

The seasoned politician said he had made a mistake in gauging Imran, and that the PTI leader would never talk about the resignation now. “The ones whom he made his electoral candidates were only there to make money.”

Conflict between Hashmi and the PTI leadership arose when the former declined to support the party in its march towards the PM House on August 31. He was subsequently suspended from the party.

Hashmi later resigned from office citing Imran’s undemocratic attitude.