PTI's Javed Hashmi withdraws controversial 'Nawaz Sharif statement'

MULTAN: Under the immense pressure of his party leadership as well workers, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) firebrand leader, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Sunday withdrew a statement he gave on the floor of National Assembly in which he declared Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif as his leader, Geo News reported.

"Respecting my people's objection I take my words back", said he addressing a press conference here.

Hashmi said he was eating his words for he just could not displease his constituents.

"I bow down to the objections of my party leadership, workers, electors. I just cannot defend what I said if my people are not happy with it", said he.

On June 5, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, had said he still reckoned President Pakistan Muslim-Nawaz (PML-N), Mian Nawaz Sharif, as his 'leader'.

"Nawaz Sharif was and remains my leader as I hold him in high esteem”, said Hashmi, speaking on the floor of National Assembly.

His conciliatory statement in the wake of Sharif’s maiden speech before taking oath as Prime Minister had also won him a big round of applause from the house.

However, he came under fire from his all sides after voicing this comment.

According to sources, party leader Imran Khan came down really heavy on Hashmi for this irresponsible statement.

On the other hand Hashmi blamed a slip of the tongue for this ‘misstatement’ adding he did not really mean it the way it was interpreted.