Joined PTI to safeguard Pak interests: Hashmi

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan along with new PTI member and former PML-N leader Javed Hashmi and Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a joint press conference here on Saturday. 

During the conference, Hashmi formally announced his joining the PTI.

After making the formal announcement, Javed Hashmi said that it was Khan’s determination to bring change that convinced him to join the party. 

Hashmi admitted that Khan was his favourite cricketer but now he is a star politician as well.

He told the reporters that he and Khan have shared the same vision of a new Pakistan - free of corruption. Hashmi said that Khan asked him to join PTI for the sake of Pakistan and not the party. 

Khan had told Hashmi, ‘Pakistan needs you,’ and that is why he joined PTI to work together to safeguard the national interests and to make it a corruption-free state.

Hashmi said that he has no differences with PML-N and the Sharif brothers are dear friends to him.

Observing the deteriorating condition of the country for the past one year, Hashmi decided it was the right time to join a party working vigorously to bring a positive change in Pakistan.

While addressing the press conference, Imran Khan expressed his joy over Hashmi joining the PTI and welcomed him in the party.

Khan said he knew Hashmi since he was sent to jail during the dictator’s rule due to his strong principles. He said that it was Hashmi’s stand on his principles that made him fit for the PTI. He said that after the joining of Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Javed Hashmi, PTI’s tsunami has gained momentum. 

Khan said that we have united to achieve our common goal of stronger and safer Pakistan and to safeguard the national interests. He said that no deal was made with Hashmi and he has joined PTI unconditionally. 

PTI chief said that Hashmi has brought his rich experience along to help achieve party goals, and only time will tell that his decision to join PTI was right.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi also welcomed Javed Hashmi in the PTI and said that it is the time of revolution when people have united on a common platform to achieve goals that are beyond personal interests. 

Qureshi said that Hashmi’s step to join PTI has rejuvenated the party enthusiasm.