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.

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...