Javed Hashmi says will continue struggle even if it benefits Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Veteran politician Javed Hashmi on Wednesday cleared the air on his rejoining his erstwhile party the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), saying he would continue his struggle even if it benefits former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

“When I speak about democracy then it mean that a party is a must. We can strengthen a party, give our opinions, and even contradict them,” said Hashmi appearing on ARY News program ‘Off the Record’ when asked why a politician of his stature even needs to join a political party.

However, Hashmi was adamant that he was not joining the party for the sake of political power. He said that he even joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf due to his skills and capabilities.

Javed Hashmi said that not joining a party would make him politically isolated, and therefore he wanted to join one whose ideology suits him.

When reminded of his previous criticism of Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, he said that he has expressed his grieviances even in his recent meeting with Nawaz Sharif, and can criticise the party leadership when required.

He said that he had expressed his grievances against the system in the province brought by Shabaz Sharif, and that circumstances forced him to quit the party a few years.

However, he vowed that he will continue his democratic struggle even if it benefits the Sharifs, who are facing a tough situation nowadays, but have continued their ideological struggle since the 1990s.

When asked why he waited for so long in rejoin the party, Hashmi said he had several reservations but the party was concerned about his estranged members.

He said that he truly believes in civilian supremacy, and people are concerned when successive prime ministers are deposed and unceremoniously removed from power.