MULTAN: Students and political activists intercepted the vehicle of former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in Multan and chanted slogans against him and the government.

The veteran politician was visiting Nishtar Hospital to attend a funeral prayer where he received the unceremonious welcome. The protesters were chanting “Go Nawaz Go” and “Daaghi” slogans.

He was apparently allowed to leave but only after assuring the protesters that he would not join the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).

Speaking to media representatives earlier at his residence, Hashmi had said that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of civil war in the country. He said Imran Khan would not have a chance to come into power even if the current government ended.

Hashmi further said that the PTI chairman should not raise the expectations of the youth too high and appreciated Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri's decision of contesting the next general elections.

The PAT and PTI have been staging anti-government protest sit-ins in front of the parliament house in Islamabad since mid-August.

Javed Hashmi had left the venue on Aug 31, as a mark of protest over the party’s decision to join forces with Qadri’s PAT, minutes before PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s announcement to move the sit-in from D-Chowk to the Prime Minister’s House.

Hashmi had accused Khan of bypassing a decision of the PTI’s core committee not to join Dr Tahirul Qadri’s march on Prime Minister’s House after receiving a message from ‘somewhere’.

PTI had subsequently suspended the membership of Hashmi and had summoned him to the party secretariat to explain his case.

The renegade elected president of PTI Javed Hashmi announced on Oct 1 his resignation from the party presidency and its membership.