MULTAN: Veteran politician Javed Hashmi said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is being used in the Karachi by-elections by the forces looking for a solution to the issues of the city.

He said this while talking to the media here on Saturday. He said there was no doubt the Muttahida Qaumi Movement will win the elections and Jamaat-i-Islami bag the second position.

“However, the result cannot be predicted as the forces looking to find a solution to Karachi’s problems are once again using the PTI in the by-elections and only God knows what will be the results,” he said.

The veteran politician said he and Imran Khan had signed their resignations and that the PTI chief will not deny it, however it was unfortunate that Imran did not honour his own signatures. He added that the PTI had made a mockery of the Constitution and law.

“Imran Khan had some expectations that did not come true,” he said.

Hashmi said the National Assembly speaker’s decision to accept or reject resignations was not final and it could be challenged, and the speaker would have to face consequences if his ruling is challenged. He added that PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi kept insisting there was not much rigging in the 2013 general elections.

“So far rigging has not been proved even in a single constituency, but something may appear from behind the curtain in the future,” he claimed.

He said the forces that were interested in mid-term elections had disappeared and he wanted the assemblies to complete their tenure.

“Even if the PML-N government commits mistakes or a mishap happens, 2015 is not the election year,” he predicted.

Hashmi said parliament’s decision to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict was not sufficient to take a final decision in this regard.

“There are many other angles that would have to be considered before taking the final decision. Parliament’s decisions are central; however it is not mandatory to follow them,” he added.

He said there was a need to find a solution to the Yemen issue by initiating negotiations with Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2015

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