Javed Hashmi withdraws in 'favour of PTI-backed candidate'

• Javed Hashmi throws weight behind PTI, Imran Khan.
• Says PTI and its founder going through tough times.
• Senior politician was set to contest polls from NA-149.

MULTAN: Senior politician Javed Hashmi Monday announced stepping out of the election race and withdrawing in favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Aamir Dogar, who will contest the February 8 polls from NA-149 constituency.

“I am throwing my political weight behind the Tehreek-e-Insaf and Imran Khan and withdrawing from the elections,” Hashmi, who has been a part of the PTI and its arch-rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The seasoned politician was set to contest the polls from Multan’s constituency as an independent candidate, and his withdrawal might help the PTI, whose candidates are also contesting on different symbols after their iconic ‘bat’ symbol was stripped of.

Hashmi had won twice from NA-149 in 2008 on the PML-N’s ticket and in 2013 on the PTI ticket. However, after leaving the PTI, he relinquished the seat and in a by-election in 2014, Dogar defeated him. In 2018 as well, he had decided against running in elections.

While he has close ties with the PML-N, Hashmi said he stands with PTI founder Imran Khan as he and his party were facing testing times. “When Imran Khan was the ‘blue-eyed’, I stood by Nawaz Sharif.”

The senior politician said the cipher case against top PTI leaders — Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi — was baseless. “I know Shah Mahmood Qureshi; he’s not a traitor.”

Qureshi and Khan are behind bars in the cipher case, with the prosecution alleging that the PTI leaders used the secret document for political gains.

Moving on, Hashmi said Nawaz has made “compromises” to come into power. He also lamented that might is right in Pakistan, adding: “People ask when will their issues be resolved. However, I don’t have an answer for them.”

Founded by Khan, the PTI rose to power in the centre in 2018 but was ousted in April 2022 via a no-confidence move. It has since been reeling from the back-to-back setbacks.

The former ruling party’s founder was jailed in May last year, its electoral symbol — a major voter driving force was taken away this month, and the party — PTI-Nazriati — with which it sought an alliance also backtracked from its commitment.

However, the party has vowed not to boycott the polls and run without its iconic electoral symbol. Since the 'bat' symbol has been taken away, all its candidates will be running with different signs.