Javed Hashmi backs off from elections race

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) senior member Javed Hashmi will not be contesting the upcoming general elections.

According to local media reports, Hashmi has withdrawn his nomination papers from Multan constituencies NA-155 and NA-158. Hashmi had submitted his nomination papers in the aforementioned constituencies on the suggestion of PML-N.

Addressing a press conference on June 24, Hashmi said that he had no interest in contesting elections. Hashmi said he wants to do politics of the country instead of a constituency. If Hashmi had not stepped aside from the election race, he would have faced off former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani from NA-158 constituency.

Hashmi joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) before the 2013 election but later left the party after PTI held a sit-in (dharna) in Islamabad. Last year, the veteran politician rejoined PML-N, accusing the PTI chairman of selling tickets.

Meanwhile, today is the last for candidates to withdraw their nomination papers. The general elections are slated for July 25.