Hashmi withdraws after denial of ticket

multan — Veteran politician Javed Hashmi says he will not contest elections after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) did not award him ticket.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Hashmi said he had already informed the party leadership that he would not contest the election; however, he submitted nomination papers for NA-155 and NA-158 on the suggestion of the party leadership.

“Nawaz Sharif has promised not to award party ticket to anyone against me. However, I informed him that I will accept the party decision regarding the award of ticket. My priority was to rejoin the PML-N rather than getting the party ticket,” he said.

Hashmi said he had also informed Governor Rafique Rajwana who wanted to field his son for NA-155 besides Shaikh Tariq Rasheed, a former PML-N MNA, that he would not come in their way if the party awarded them tickets.

Hashmi said that he will continue to work for parliamentary supremacy and accused Imran of selling tickets

“Similarly I also assured Javed Ali Shah, the last time PML-N candidate for NA-158 (formerly NA-148) , that I will not ask for party ticket.”The veteran politician said that he had won 11 NA seats in the past but he never applied for the party ticket.

Hashmi said that it was his wish to contest election against former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani from NA-158 and Shah Mehmood Qureshi from NA-156. “However, I accept the party decision as I want to work as a worker for the PML-N. I will participate in the election campaign of PML-N candidates not only in Multan but wherever I am needed,” he said. — Agencies