Hashmi urges Imran to shun irresponsible politics

MULTAN: Veteran politician Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has called upon Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to avoid irresponsible behaviour in politics, saying it's not cricket.

Talking to the media at the local press club on Monday, he said: "I want to ask Imran Khan to let democracy survive in the country." He said that Imran could not raise his stature by playing into the hands of others.

Hashmi insisted that whatever he was saying should be considered as a statement on oath.

He recalled that in 2014 when he was part of the PTI, participants of the party meetings used to say that there was no rigging in 2013 general elections, but Imran kept on insisting on sit-in politics.

Responding to a question, Hashmi said that Imran Khan had almost put a full stop on his political career due to his irresponsible politics, adding that "he (Imran) shoots in his feet every day". He claimed that there existed seven different parties within the PTI.

To another question whether the PTI could be banned for receiving foreign funding, Hashmi said that was possible provided the charge was proved.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi alleged that Imran Khan had indulged in corrupt practices during the Kerry Pecker series when he (Hashmi) was the sports minister.

He alleged that Imran just wanted to make money no matter what happens in the country.

He said that Imran should understand that it's politics, not cricket.

He regretted that major political parties' leadership did not treat him well, adding that they made him to suffer defeat in the by-elections in Multan.

He alleged that some politicians had asked him not to leave the PTI and instead form a forward bloc. However, he refused to do so and resigned.