KARACHI: Veteran political leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi announced his decision to join the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) on Saturday, DawnNews reported.

The announcement, which came as Hashmi left for Multan airport to head towards Karachi, was not received well by PML-N workers, who encircled Hashmi’s residence to show their disappointment.

However, the veteran leader said he had joined the PTI due to the party’s ideology, which was similar to his.

Pacifying the disappointed PML-N workers, he said the doors of his house will always remain open for them.

Press conference in Karachi

Hashmi was received by PTI Chief Imran Khan upon his arrival from Multan, following which the two leaders held a joint press conference, which also included PTI vice president Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Speaking at the press conference, Hashmi said he had not made the decision to join Imran Khan’s party overnight. “I have waited four years to join Imran Khan.”

Welcoming Hashmi to his party, Imran Khan said the veteran politician has not placed any conditions on joining the PTI.

“This is an ideological revolution that he has joined.”

Hashmi said that every party first condemns the establishment, but eventually ends up asking for their help.

“The time has come for the emergence of parties who do not need the establishment’s support,” he added.

Hashmi reaffirmed that he had no conflict with his former party’s leadership, and that he still had great respect for Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Javed Hashmi also announced that his daughter Maimoona Hashmi was also resigning from her National Assembly membership.

Sitting alongside Javed Hashmi and Imran, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that a political tsunami had also begun to sweep over Sindh ever since his rally in Ghotki, where the former PPP leader had formally announced his decision to join the PTI.